Fake shop

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A fakeshop ( English fake shop for "Schwindelladen") is a supposed dealer on an online sales platform , where goods can be ordered at very favorable conditions, but after payment in advance they are not delivered or at least not delivered in the quality ordered . As a rule, the money is lost because the fraudulent traders only appear on the Internet for a short period of time and the crimes can hardly be prosecuted.

Consumer advocates criticize that online platforms such as Amazon are doing too little to protect consumers from such fake shop offers and to prevent the activities of fake shop operators.

Protective measures

It is recommended not to be fooled by unusually cheap offers and apparently good reviews from other buyers and not to be tempted to make spontaneous purchases. In case of doubt, consumers can find out more about suspicious online retailers from the consumer advice centers.

It is also advisable to use the online platform's shopping cart for shopping and not to contact a supposed dealer directly, for example by email, or even to pay directly to the dealer. An online platform can ensure that the buyer's account is only debited when the goods have actually been delivered.

Offers of goods that are out of stock at most reputable dealers or that cannot be delivered at short notice are suspect . Such offers should not simply be considered. Errors can often be found on the websites of the fake shops , such as spelling errors, incomplete and nonsensical design or incorrect general terms and conditions as well as a missing or incomplete imprint . Sometimes trust seals are used improperly, which are supposed to fool a reliable and reputable dealer.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. a b fake shops: fraudsters on a shopping spree , polizei-beratung.de, accessed on November 24, 2016
  2. a b c Fakeshops Amazon: So unsuspecting buyers are attracted and ripped off , test.de of 23 November 2016 called on November 24, 2016
  3. a b Fakeshops - No goods from fake shops , polizei-praevention.de, Ratgeber Internetkriminalität, accessed on November 24, 2016
  4. Eight signs by which you can recognize a fake shop , verbüberszentrale.de from August 17, 2016, accessed on November 24, 2016