In the recent past, the criminal investigation department in Pinneberg has repeatedly discovered acts of fraud by so-called fake shops on the Internet and in this context warns against hasty payment for supposed bargains. Experience has shown that a significant increase in fraud through fake shops can be expected, especially with a view to the beginning of the Christmas season.
Note: We also recently warned about a fake “Media Markt” webshop !
In mid-August, a 68-year-old from Quickborn ordered a cell phone for over 100 euros and paid the purchase price by bank transfer to an Italian IBAN. After the goods were not received and attempts to contact them via telephone and email failed, the injured party researched the internet and came across a warning message that it was a fake shop.
At the beginning of October, a 67-year-old from Halstenbek came across an inexpensive online shop for hardware store items. After being redirected to a payment service provider, the injured party entered their account details there.
However, when the data was sent, the process was aborted, whereupon the Halstenbeker became suspicious and researched online. In this case, too, there were already warning messages that the shop was only interested in the customers' bank details. The redirection to the payment service provider may also have been fake. No financial damage has occurred so far.
A 50-year-old woman from Pinneberg ordered from an online drugstore in mid-October and entered her online banking login details during the payment process. After no order confirmation was received, the customer tried to call the shop. However, the number was not in use. In this case, too, the injured party, who had become suspicious, came across corresponding warning messages about the fake shop during her subsequent search on the Internet and immediately had the access data for her online banking changed and filed a criminal complaint. There has been no financial damage so far.
What are fake shops?
Fake shops are fake Internet sales platforms that are difficult to distinguish from the original. The fraudsters often imitate well-known providers by copying their websites in order to feign seriousness. Where once very low prices were attractive and could be an initial indication of fake shops, today's prices are often similar to those of well-known providers.
Once the order and payment have been made, the buyers receive inferior goods or no goods at all. As the current cases show, the fraudsters regularly target sensitive bank data. The perpetrators often operate from abroad. The money paid is usually gone and cannot be refunded.
Basically, it is generally advisable to have a healthy degree of suspicion and to be particularly attentive when prices are particularly low and to compare the prices at other online retailers or locally.
Do your research on the internet first before making a transfer!
Only use secure payment methods - even if several payment options are initially advertised, the only option left during the ordering process is advance payment or immediate transfer.
Particular caution is , particularly with foreign bank details of an alleged domestic dealer . But German IBANs are no guarantee of absolute security either. The accounts often belong to financial service providers operating abroad, where the trace of the money flow is then lost.
An imprint also does not guarantee seriousness and can simply be copied from another site. If in doubt, you should refrain from purchasing. If you still make a purchase, file a criminal complaint with the police and bring all documents such as the purchase contract, order confirmation or emails with you.
Further information on dealing with fake shops can be found here : Consumer advice centers also provide information about known dubious online retailers.
source
Presseportal.de ,
police
crime prevention
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