Online Shopping Return Rage! Man Spreads 'Seller is a Scammer' – Here's the Consequence

On the morning of January 27th this year, Mr. Yang purchased 4 packs of 'Autumn/Winter Health Mugwort Foot Soak Packs ~ Fatigue Bye' from a female seller, Ms. Chen, via the Shopee platform. Subsequently, a dispute arose between them regarding the return of the product, leading Mr. Yang to develop dissatisfaction towards Ms. Chen. Around 5 PM on February 7th of the same year, Mr. Yang logged into his Shopee account and, in the public marketplace review section of Ms. Chen's store, left highly defamatory and false remarks such as: 'This seller is a scammer, selling fake goods while misdelivering and refusing to admit mistakes.' During the trial, the judge reasoned that Mr. Yang, solely due to an online shopping return dispute, failed to seek a rational resolution and instead intended to spread false information on the platform that could damage another person's reputation. Considering the motive, method of the offense, and the damage to the victim's business reputation, Mr. Yang was ultimately sentenced to 40 days of detention for defamation by spreading text. If opting for a fine instead, it would be calculated at 1000 NTD per day, amounting to a 40,000 NTD fine. The case is still subject to appeal.