Beware of fraud: How to protect yourself from fake shops on social media!

Beware of fraud: How to protect yourself from fake shops on social media!

In June 2025, experts will warn of an alarming increase in fraudulent fake shops on social media in Austria. So far, 30 million fraudulent advertisements have been registered in the first four months of the year, while the number rises to 85 million across the EU. These fictitious shops use emotional ads to convince users with false promises and inferior products. What is worrying is that ghost stores often operate on the Internet without a physical headquarters and send products primarily via dropshipping from China, which increases the risk for online buyers.

A similarity to the cases of fraud observed worldwide can also be found in Austria. According to reports, online shopping fraud is a global problem, particularly prevalent in countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Around 90 percent of all purchase fraud there comes from social media, which underlines the reach and dangers of these new forms of fraud. Over two million cases of remote purchase fraud have been reported in the UK in the last three years.

Common fraud patterns

Fake shops use various fraud patterns to gain the trust of buyers. They often tell emotional stories about small businesses or tragic illnesses to arouse buying interest. The dubious online shops in Austria that have become known include names such as Bauer Wien, Cécile Wien and Kramer Mode. These shops attract people with extremely low prices, but often do not have an imprint. A missing imprint or a company headquarters outside the EU should be viewed as warning signs.

Consumer advice centers are now drawing attention to the fact that documents intended to show customers that these are trustworthy shops are effective, but often do not reflect reality. Predictions show that over 20 percent of all cases of online fraud in France can be traced back to fake shops. In particular, individual checks of shops, for example using tools such as the fake shop finder, can help you buy safely. This default fake shop finder warns of shops that are classified as “yellow” on either fake shop lists or whitelists – a sign that they may be questionable.

Protective measures and tips

To avoid becoming a victim of these scams, there are important tips for identifying fake shops. Buyers should always exercise caution, especially with unrealistic offers and emotional advertisements. It is recommended to check the return policy and read customer reviews. In addition, advertisements that raise suspicions of manipulation should definitely be reported. In the event of fraud, it is advisable to contact the bank or credit card provider and inform the police and consumer protection about the incident.

The increase in fake shops shows that both the real and digital worlds are being infiltrated by fraud. The fact that almost half of the global population encounters a scam at least once a week is alarming. In the context of these threats, it is essential to continually stay informed about new fraudulent trends and their characteristics. Only by being vigilant can buyers remain protected.

For further information on how to deal with fake shops and detailed checklists, the consumer advice centers offer valuable resources to effectively identify and avoid potential fraudsters. For a targeted check of online shops, the Fakeshop Finder can be used to quickly determine the seriousness of a provider.