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  • Category: News

Here is an introduction to the case of the durian "refund-only" buyer who was placed under administrative detention, based on recent media reports.

Incident Summary

An e-commerce buyer has been placed under administrative detention by police for fraud after falsely claiming a shipped durian was moldy to obtain a refund without returning the product, a practice known as "refund-only" on Chinese platforms. The incident drew widespread attention due to the extreme measures the seller took to prove his case: driving 1,600 kilometers and spending over 5,000 yuan to search for evidence.

The Fraud Attempt

The situation unfolded as follows:

  • Order and False Claim: In late April 2026, a villager surnamed Yuan (袁某某) in Shandong province purchased 190 yuan worth of frozen durian from a merchant surnamed Cheng (程某) in Henan province. After receiving the goods on April 28, Yuan contacted the platform, claimed the durian was moldy, attached a photo, and requested a full refund without returning the goods.
  • Seller's Suspicion: The seller reviewed his shipping video and found that the moldy durian in the buyer's photo did not match the product he had sent. He suspected the buyer was committing fraud. When the seller challenged the buyer, the buyer remained uncooperative and verbally abused customer service staff.

The Seller's Pursuit and Investigation

Refusing to accept the loss, the seller took extraordinary steps to clear his name:

  • Cross-Province Investigation: The seller twice drove from Henan to the buyer's location in Shandong, logging a total of 1,600 kilometers. During this process, he spent over 5,000 yuan on travel expenses.
  • Searching for Evidence: At the buyer's location, the seller searched through nearby trash bins. He found the packaging bag for his durian but not the durian itself. The buyer claimed the moldy pulp had been discarded separately.
  • Police Report and Arrest: The seller filed a police report on May 6, and the local police station officially filed the case on May 7. Following an investigation, authorities determined that the buyer had fabricated the moldy product claim to fraudulently obtain the refund. The buyer, Yuan, was placed under administrative detention for fraud.

Aftermath and Wider Implications

Following the detention, police have also organized mediation between the two parties and are urging the buyer to compensate the seller for losses incurred during the pursuit.

The incident has reignited public discussion about the abuse of "refund-only" features by malicious actors. Media commentary noted that while the rule is meant to protect consumers, it can be exploited, creating high evidence-gathering costs for sellers who try to defend themselves against false claims.