A WOMAN in Nanshan District was cheated out of 7,000 yuan (US$1,140) in an online business scam Sunday.

    The woman, surnamed Chen, received a call allegedly from a customer service staff member of a Taobao shop saying the order placed by Chen on Saturday was incorrect and that Chen would be refunded.

    Chen was sent a link to a website. After logging in on the site, Chen was asked to input her personal information and bank account number, according to a report in yesterday’s Shenzhen Economic Daily.

    After inputting the required information, Chen received a verification code on her mobile phone. However, she could not receive the refund.

    The person acting as a customer service staff member asked Chen for the verification code and offered to help her complete the refund.

    Chen complied and soon found that 7,000 yuan had been taken from her bank account.

    Nanshan police said many victims in similar scams are young people who are fond of online shopping.

    (Martin Li)