With the development of technology and the growing popularity of online shopping, new forms of fraud have emerged. One of the most common schemes is the creation of fake online stores. These fakes are capable of deceiving thousands of people, causing financial losses and creating a negative shopping experience.
How do scammers create fake online stores?
Creating a fake online store is a fairly simple process that scammers carry out by following a few steps.
Domain Registration and Website Creation
The first step is domain registration. Scammers choose easy-to-remember names that resemble well-known brands. For example, the name may be slightly altered or additional characters added. After registering the domain, the site itself is created. For this, attackers use available website-building platforms that offer templates and tools that allow for quickly making an online store.
Content Filling and Adding Products
After creating the site, scammers fill it with content. They post high-quality product images, which are not always original. These photos may be downloaded from other online stores or taken from open sources.
Attracting Customers
To attract more customers, scammers develop marketing strategies. They may use social networks by launching targeted advertising, or place ads on popular platforms. Often, they offer artificially low prices to attract buyers.
Fraud in Online Shopping
Fraud in online shopping has many facets.
False Prices and Discounts
Scammers attract consumers' attention with large discounts and promotions. For example, your favorite product may cost significantly more in regular stores, but in a fake online store, the price may be reduced by 70-90%. Such "offers" seem too good to be true and, unfortunately, almost always are.
Return Difficulties
If the product turns out to be of poor quality or does not match the description at all, buyers face difficulties in returning it. Often scammers do not provide clear return instructions or a person faces refusals to their requests. Often products are not subject to return, leaving customers without money and without products.
Fraudulent Payments
Understanding scammers' logic is impossible without considering the payment method. They often offer unverified payment methods. For example, transfers to bank cards or electronic wallets, which do not provide an opportunity to dispute the transaction. There are cases when the purchase is made through anonymous systems, complicating the process of returning funds.
How to Recognize Scammers in E-commerce
Recognizing scammers is a key point in safety when buying goods online.
- Checking Store Information. Make sure that the store has contact information, including a phone number and physical address. Pay attention to the presence of an "About Us" section. If there is not enough information, this can be an alarming signal.
- Review Analysis. Customer reviews play an important role in the decision-making process. However, scammers also understand this. They may create fake reviews on their site or use platforms that allow for posting positive comments. Be sure to look for reviews about the store on independent platforms, such as social networks and specialized sites.
- Paying attention to the professionalism of the site. Genuine online stores usually have a professional and neat design, as well as competent texts. Pay attention to the presence of spelling errors, sloppy image positioning, and strange fonts.
Fake Reviews in Online Stores
Fake reviews are a common method used by scammers to increase trust in their store.
Scammers can create many fake accounts on social networks or review platforms. With their help, they leave positive reviews about their stores or products. Usually, such reviews are overly enthusiastic and contain general phrases without specifics.
There are special services where you can order 100 or 500 positive reviews for a small amount. Scammers do not disdain these services and inflate positive ratings, trust in their store grows. However, as a rule, in this case, the quality of the product is terrible, and the sellers remain unpunished.
Some fraudulent sites use fake "success stories." They may represent supposedly real stories in which buyers praise products and share positive experiences. Such reviews are very often faked.
Counterfeit Products Online
Scammers not only deceive their customers but also create counterfeits. Counterfeit products offered on fake online stores often have low quality and do not meet the stated characteristics. If you buy branded items, be prepared to receive an undeservedly low-quality product.
Fake online stores can offer a wide range of products, from clothing to electronics. They try to diversify their range as much as possible to attract as many buyers as possible. However, the quality of such goods often stands out — incorrect details, poor materials, and lack of sales licenses.
Scams in Online Shopping
There are several common schemes that scammers use when creating their online stores.
In some cases, scammers may pose as "regular" sellers. They post their ads on platforms where individuals can sell goods. Such sellers may offer very low prices and sometimes compete with large retailers.
Some online stores may require full prepayment upfront. This is a common scam scheme, as customers end up being victims of scammers who disappear with the money.
Ways to Protect Against Scammers
To avoid becoming a victim of scammers, always check the product before buying, study the return policy and discount offers. Before making a prepayment, find as much information as possible about the seller by studying reviews and ratings. Don't forget to use secure payment methods, such as credit cards, which allow you to dispute the transaction.
Creating fake online stores is a common practice that brings scammers big profits and creates a host of problems for users. Hundreds of people are deceived daily in online shopping. To avoid losses, it is crucial to be vigilant and willing to research information about the store before making a purchase.