Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of middle-aged and elderly individuals becoming increasingly engaged in online shopping, often leading to excessive purchases of low-quality or unnecessary items, which raises concerns about consumer behavior and the influence of unscrupulous sellers [3][46]. Group 1: Online Shopping Behavior of Middle-aged and Elderly - The article highlights that middle-aged and elderly individuals have embraced online shopping, often leading to a chaotic accumulation of goods at home [4][8]. - There is a notable trend where older generations, once skeptical of online shopping, have become avid participants, often purchasing items that are deemed useless or of poor quality [5][34]. - The convenience of online shopping has transformed their purchasing habits, with many now treating delivery personnel as essential service providers [35][41]. Group 2: Psychological and Social Factors - The article suggests that the motivations behind these purchases are tied to a fear of being left behind in a rapidly changing world, leading to impulsive buying behavior [56]. - It points out that the older generation's desire to keep up with trends often results in them falling victim to marketing tactics designed to exploit their vulnerabilities [48][49]. - The generational shift in understanding technology and consumerism is highlighted, with younger individuals often feeling frustrated by their parents' shopping habits, which they perceive as irrational [56]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Seller Tactics - The article criticizes the tactics employed by sellers who target older consumers, often using misleading marketing strategies that play on their fears and desires [47][52]. - It notes that many products purchased by the elderly are of low quality or even harmful, yet they are marketed as essential or beneficial [48][51]. - The rise of live-stream shopping is mentioned as a significant factor in this trend, with sellers tailoring their pitches to appeal specifically to older audiences [47][49].

Core Viewpoint - A new type of online shopping scam has emerged, where consumers are lured into fraudulent schemes under the guise of returning defective products, leading to significant financial losses [1][2]. Group 1: Scam Mechanism - The scam begins when consumers, like Ms. Yun, attempt to return defective products purchased online, which leads them to scan a QR code that directs them to a deceptive group chat [1][2]. - In the group chat, consumers are exposed to enticing advertisements about earning money through watching short dramas, which distracts them from their original intent of seeking refunds [2]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Ms. Yun nearly lost 150,000 yuan (approximately 15 million) after being persuaded to withdraw cash and send it to a specified address under the pretense of unlocking greater profit opportunities [2]. - The police discovered that the online store from which Ms. Yun purchased the faulty fan had been shut down shortly after her transaction, highlighting the fraudulent nature of the operation [2]. Group 3: Prevention Advice - Authorities advise consumers to use official online shopping platforms for purchases and to seek customer service through verified channels when facing product quality issues, to avoid falling victim to such scams [3].

Group 1 - The core shopping method for young people is primarily online shopping due to its convenience and lower prices [1] - A new type of scam in online shopping has emerged, with 9 out of 10 people falling victim to it [2] Group 2 - Pre-sale practices have become common, where merchants only produce items based on the number of orders, leading to long wait times for consumers [5][7] - Many pre-sale items have inconsistent quality, causing dissatisfaction among consumers when the received products do not match expectations [9][10][11] Group 3 - Live-stream shopping often results in receiving products that differ significantly from what was showcased, as the items are typically mass-produced with lower quality materials [13][15][17] - Consumers are advised to check reviews and consider purchasing items with shipping insurance to mitigate risks [21] Group 4 - The trend of buying "one-of-a-kind" clothing items can be risky, as many are sourced from discarded clothing without proper cleaning, posing health risks [23][25][28][30] Group 5 - Promotions like "0.1 yuan flash sales" often involve low-quality, potentially unsafe products from unknown brands, which can pose health hazards [32][34][36]