Pseudostore for Every Taste: How Online Shopping Became a Trap for Scammers

The development of e-commerce has led to an increase in fraudulent schemes. Fake online stores are created to deceive buyers by offering non-existent products or counterfeits. They may disguise themselves as well-known brands, copy the design of popular platforms, or offer overly favorable conditions to attract attention. To prevent financial losses, it is important to understand the methods used by fraudsters.

Fraud Schemes in Online Stores 

The scam can take various forms, including fake sites, counterfeit pages on marketplaces, or hacking of legitimate platforms. Main fraud schemes:

1. Creating clone sites. Fraudsters copy the design of popular online stores, changing the site address to one that is similar in spelling. For example, they may add extra letters or use domains that mimic the original. Visually, such a site is almost indistinguishable, but when making a purchase, the money goes to the scammers.
2. Selling non-existent goods. After payment, the order is not sent, and the seller's contact details turn out to be invalid. Often such stores do not last long, quickly closing and reopening under a different name.
3. Implementation of counterfeits. Instead of the original product, buyers are sent low-quality copies. Often victims only find out about the substitution after receiving the order, and it is already impossible to get the money back.
4. Fake discounts and promotions. Offers that are too good make the buyer rush to purchase without checking the store's reputation. After the money is transferred, the seller disappears.
5. Phishing pages. Fake payment forms steal bank card data, allowing fraudsters to access the buyer's finances.

Some schemes may combine. For example, fraudsters create a fake site, offer unrealistic discounts, and use fake reviews to increase trust.

Fake Reviews in Online Stores

Fraudsters use fake reviews to create the appearance of reliability. They can be posted on the site itself or on third-party resources where potential buyers look for information.

Signs of Fabrication:

1. 1.Identical writing style, template phrases. For example, all comments consist of similar sentences without specific details.
2. 2.Excessively positive ratings. If the store only has 5-star reviews without criticism, this is a reason to doubt their authenticity.
3. 3.Recent creation of all comments. A large number of reviews left over a short period indicates artificial inflation.
4. 4.Lack of reviews on independent platforms. Reliable stores are discussed on forums and review sites, while fake ones are only on their own pages.

Sometimes fraudsters use automatic text generators to create mass positive feedback. In such cases, comments may contain absurd phrases, unnatural structure, or repetitive wording.

How to Recognize Fraudsters in e-commerce 

Identifying unreliable online stores is possible by the following signs:

• Lack of seller information. Reliable online stores publish legal information, address, phone number, registration information. If this information is hidden, the likelihood of fraud is high.
• Suspiciously low prices. Excessive discounts, especially on in-demand products, may indicate a counterfeit or lack of a real product.
• Poor quality site. Errors in texts, non-working buttons, lack of security certificates (HTTPS) – a reason to doubt the seller's honesty.
• Limited payment methods. If only transfers to a card, cryptocurrency wallets, or systems without buyer protection are available, there is a risk of fraud.
• Reviews in independent sources. Searching for information about the store on third-party platforms will help identify possible complaints. If users massively write about delivery problems or inability to get a refund, it is better to refuse the purchase.
• Suspicious return conditions. If the store does not provide clear information about returns or requires prepayment without guarantees, this is a warning sign.
• Additionally, it is worth checking the domain registration date. If the site appeared recently, the likelihood of fraud increases.

Scams in Online Shopping: How to Avoid Being Tricked

To reduce the likelihood of encountering fraudsters, it is recommended to follow a few rules:

1. Check seller information. It is worth looking for company data in open sources, checking the legal address, reading reviews on independent platforms.
2. Use secure payment methods. Bank cards with the ability to reverse the payment or payment systems with buyer protection will help return the money in case of fraud.
3. Study reviews. Reliable online stores have diverse reviews – both positive and critical. The complete absence of negativity or a large number of similar comments may indicate fabrication.
4. Do not make purchases on suspicious sites. If the online store looks unusual, contains many errors, offers too low prices, it is worth being cautious.
5. Beware of excessive discounts. If the product is significantly cheaper than competitors, the likelihood of fraud is high.

The development of online trading requires buyers to be more vigilant. Knowing the main fraudulent schemes allows minimizing risks and avoiding financial losses.