Fake online shops
Bogus stores that take your payment and never deliver — or send a counterfeit.
What it is
Fake shops are websites or social-media stores built to look like genuine retailers, often advertising hard-to-find items or unbelievable discounts. You pay, but the goods never arrive, turn up as cheap counterfeits, or your card details are simply harvested for later fraud.
How it happens
Scammers copy the look of real brands, buy ads on social media and search engines, and use urgency — “70% off, today only” — to rush you. The site may accept only bank transfer or unusual payment methods that offer no buyer protection. Some vanish after a wave of orders and reopen under a new name.
Warning signs
- Prices far below the normal market, or items sold out everywhere else.
- No clear company address, contact details, or returns policy.
- Only bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards accepted — no secure card option.
- A brand-new website, poor spelling, or reviews that all sound the same.
Who it targets
Bargain hunters and gift shoppers during busy seasons are prime targets, as are fans chasing sold-out concert tickets, popular electronics, or limited releases. Younger, social-media-native shoppers are increasingly caught through ads and influencer-style posts.
How to protect yourself
- Search the shop's name together with “scam” or “reviews” before buying.
- Pay by credit card or a trusted payment service that offers buyer protection.
- Be sceptical of deals that seem too good to be true — they usually are.
- Check for a real address, contact details, and a clear returns policy.
- Never pay a shop by bank transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
If it happens to you
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately to dispute the charge and request a chargeback.
- Gather evidence — the order, the site, and any messages — before the site disappears.
- Change the password if you created an account, especially if you reused it elsewhere.
- Report the shop to your national consumer-protection or fraud service.