Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRest of World reported that Amazon shut down roughly 13,000 Pakistani seller accounts in May 2022 over suspected fraud. The figure and explanation were not confirmed by Amazon: the outlet said the company did not respond to its questions. The report named Mian Channu and Sahiwal as the main locations associated with the accounts, but it did not establish that every suspended seller committed fraud.
What was reported about the suspensions?
In a January 3, 2023 investigation, Rest of World reported that Amazon shut down roughly 13,000 seller accounts associated with Pakistan in May 2022 because of suspected fraud. The report said most of the affected accounts originated in Mian Channu and Sahiwal, cities in Punjab, and that Amazon blacklisted IP addresses in Mian Channu.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Mini Envelope - Candlelight Celebration | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
A Rest of World statistical brief later summarized the number as 13,000. Daily Pakistan also reported the figure and linked the accounts to the two cities in August 2022, attributing the information to reports rather than a named Amazon statement. These accounts of the event do not amount to an independently audited total or an Amazon-confirmed count.
Why were the accounts reportedly suspended?
Rest of World described several alleged schemes in the seller ecosystem. The investigation said some sellers used fake tracking details to receive payment before buyers complained that goods had not arrived. It also described alleged fake refunds, tax fraud, and “carding”—using stolen credit-card numbers to buy gift cards for resale on Amazon.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
These were allegations about schemes described in the reporting, not findings about every suspended account. The available account does not establish which methods, if any, were used by each seller whose account was shut down.
What does “kabootar” mean in this context?
“Kabootar,” meaning “pigeon,” was the name used in the investigation for an alleged fake-tracking scheme. A seller would provide tracking details that appeared to show an order had been shipped, aiming to receive payment before a buyer reported non-delivery. The term describes an alleged method; it is not evidence that all sellers in the affected cities used it.
Rank #2
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Which cities were named, and what is known about IP blocking?
The report identified Mian Channu and Sahiwal as the places from which most of the affected accounts reportedly originated. It also said Amazon blacklisted IP addresses in Mian Channu. The evidence presented in the reporting does not establish that Amazon formally designated either city a “fraud red zone,” or that every account or person there was subject to a block.
Lahore-based seller Ayaz Ali told Rest of World in 2023, “Pakistani IPs are blacklisted,” and said, “You can create an account, and instantly, it’s blocked or sometimes never approved.” Those are Ali’s descriptions of his experience, not a company-confirmed statement of Amazon policy.
Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Why did seller interest grow so quickly?
Rest of World reported that Pakistan was added to Amazon’s seller registry in May 2021, opening a new route for sellers in the country to list products. Citing Marketplace Pulse, the outlet said Pakistan ranked third for new seller registrations within a year, behind the United States and China. That is a historical ranking reported in the investigation, not a current measure of registrations.
The investigation also quoted sellers describing rigorous vetting, delays, and difficulty opening accounts. Some sellers attributed those obstacles to scammers, but that explanation was their interpretation—not an Amazon policy statement. Islamabad-based seller Tahir Farooq told the outlet, “People have gone crazy about selling on Amazon,” and said, “Pakistanis were actually desperate. They were waiting for this opportunity.”
Rank #4
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Did Amazon confirm the number or explain the action?
No direct Amazon spokesperson statement confirming the roughly 13,000 figure appears in the cited reporting. Rest of World said Amazon did not respond to its questions. The reporting therefore supports describing the action as an alleged or reported enforcement measure, not as a company-confirmed total or definitive account of Amazon’s reasoning.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce published general guidance for selling on Amazon in May 2021. That document covers general selling and deactivation policies; it does not verify the specific 2022 suspensions.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is affixed inside a mini envelope
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Sources and dates
- Rest of World investigation by Nilesh Christopher and Zuha Siddiqui, January 3, 2023.
- Rest of World statistical brief, January 9, 2023.
- Daily Pakistan report, August 15, 2022.
- Pakistan Ministry of Commerce, Guidelines for Selling on Amazon, May 2021.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
