What it looks like
Social media ad: "Closing-down sale! Branded sneakers 80% off, today only. Pay by UPI or bank transfer for an extra 10% discount."
How the fake shopping website scam works
- Scammers copy the look of a real brand or create a new 'store' with stolen product photos.
- They push it with social media ads, influencer-style posts, texts or emails promising huge discounts.
- Timers and 'only 2 left' messages push you to pay fast.
- They prefer direct bank transfer, UPI, gift cards or crypto, which are hard to reverse.
- You get nothing, a cheap fake, or a fake tracking number that never updates.
- Customer support goes silent and the site disappears or changes its name.
Red flags
- Prices far below every other shop.
- A new website with no real address, phone number or return policy.
- Only bank transfer, UPI to a personal ID, gift card or crypto accepted.
- Spelling mistakes or a web address slightly different from the real brand.
- Reviews that are only on the site itself, or only five-star.
- Countdown timers and pressure to buy now.
- A padlock (https) alone does not prove the site is real.
What to do
- Search the store name with words like 'scam' or 'complaint' before buying.
- Pay by credit card or a method with buyer protection where you can.
- If you already paid, contact your bank or card company at once and ask about a chargeback or reversal.
- Keep screenshots of the ad, site, order and payment.
- In India, call 1930 at once and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Fast reporting gives the best chance to freeze the money.
- US: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. UK: Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040.
Protect your family
Teach teens and elders to search a new shop's name plus 'scam' before paying, and to never pay a stranger by bank transfer or gift card. Suggest they buy from shops they already know.
Also known as: fake online store, social media ad shop scam, too good to be true deal scam
Questions people ask
How can I check if a shopping website is legit?
Search its name with 'scam' or 'complaint', check for a real address and return policy, compare prices with known shops, and be careful if it only accepts bank transfer or gift cards.
Does https mean a website is safe?
No. https only means the connection is encrypted. Scammers can get https too, so it does not prove the shop is real.
I paid a fake website. Can I get my money back?
Contact your bank or card company immediately. Card payments often have dispute rights. In India also call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.