A nightmare scenario recently unfolded for an FBA seller on Amazon's U.S. marketplace: the same buyer placed 19 consecutive orders, successfully returned each one, but shipped back nothing but trash. This isn't an isolated incident, but rather the tip of the iceberg in the growing crisis of return fraud plaguing cross-border e-commerce sellers.
The Anatomy of a Scam
The scheme began simply enough—a routine order where the buyer requested a return after delivery. However, when the seller received the returned package, it contained sand, paper scraps, and other debris instead of the purchased item. Initially dismissed as a prank, the situation escalated as the buyer repeatedly placed new orders—each time returning non-product items including unidentified powders, tree branches, and shredded paper.
Despite clear evidence of malicious intent, the seller's multiple reports to Amazon—complete with case documentation and detailed explanations—yielded only automated responses directing them to "continue reporting through this portal." The fraudulent buyer continued unimpeded: placing new orders, receiving refunds, and shipping back garbage.
Systemic Vulnerabilities
FBA program limitations prevent sellers from accessing complete buyer addresses or shipping verification details, creating investigative dead ends for law enforcement. This has sparked debate within the seller community about whether the fault lies with individual sellers or systemic platform failures.
Some sellers argue Amazon's FBA return system should theoretically prevent such scams, citing warehouse scanning protocols, weight verification, and LPN tracking. They recommend targeted appeals focusing on "non-matching returns" with comprehensive evidence chains including packaging photos, shipping labels, and unboxing videos.
Others contend the return process caters primarily to honest customers, failing to filter professional fraudsters who exploit high-frequency ordering and instant refunds. With Amazon's delayed response, some sellers now resort to extreme measures like destroying all returns or mandating warehouse inspections—fearing counterfeit items might re-enter their inventory through Amazon's restocking process.
The Growing Fraud Epidemic
Return fraud has become a daily operational hazard. 2024 U.S. market data shows approximately 15% of returns involve demonstrable fraud or abuse. The 19-case "trash return" incident confirms this isn't anomalous but rather an institutionalized risk.
As 2025 progresses, AI tools have lowered the barrier for fabricating return evidence while fraud techniques evolve. Though Amazon collaborates with law enforcement against organized refund rings, individual sellers remain vulnerable to daily attacks.
The seller community increasingly demands a "buyer block" feature—already implemented by eBay—to proactively filter suspicious accounts. Amazon's current reactive model forces sellers to gather post-facto evidence rather than prevent fraud at its source.
A Call for Systemic Reform
With professionalized, high-volume return scams proliferating, sellers bear unsustainable losses under the current protection model. They urgently require proactive defense mechanisms and more responsive platform support to survive competitive pressures.
Beyond return fraud, cross-border sellers face multifaceted risks including IP infringement, malicious reviews, and false advertising—threats that damage both immediate profits and long-term brand equity. Effective risk mitigation has become existential for marketplace survival.
As the world's dominant e-commerce platform, Amazon's policies create ripple effects across global trade. Failure to address these vulnerabilities risks alienating its seller base while tarnishing platform integrity. Only through equitable, secure marketplace reforms can Amazon ensure sustainable growth for both its ecosystem and participating merchants.