ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued a show cause notice to an online shopping platform, Kaymu.pk for “deceptive marketing practices with regard to the resolution of disputes between buyers and sellers, return policy, payment and shipping methods, and vague terms and conditions thus deceiving consumers in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010.” The notice was issued in the wake of findings of an inquiry report on a complaint filed by a Pakistani citizen, alleging that the online shopping website was involved in deceptive marketing practices by committing different violations. According to the complainant, the online shopping website guarantees a safe and highly cooperative platform for buyers and sellers. “However, in contrast to the stated facts on Kaymu.pk, it rather allows sellers to commit fraud and mislead customers with regard to the services provided while placing an order as well as in after sale services.” After analysing the facts, the inquiry report found Kaymu.pk of “deceiving its customers via self-contradictory information provided on the website and by omission of fair warnings with regard to seller’s return policy”. Moreover, as against the stated claims, “the website fails to act as a true mediator by absolving itself from confirming the reliability of the sellers on its website.” The report also found that Kaymu.pk claimed to offer multiple delivery and shipping options to the customers. However, in reality, those options are not available to the consumers. “Kaymu.pk is, prima facie, involved in disseminating false and misleading information to the customers , which is also capable of harming business interest of other competitors in the business of online shopping, thus violating Section 10 of the Competition Act,” the report concluded.