Fake online stores: how they work and how to spot them

Updated October 2026 · 4 minute read

Professional looking stores, often advertised on social media, with brand names at huge discounts. Items never arrive, or you get cheap junk.

How the scam works

Like almost every scam, this one follows a three step script:

The hook. Something believable lands in front of you: a message, a call, an ad or a new "friend".
The pressure. Urgency, fear, excitement or secrecy, so you act before you think or talk to anyone.
The payment. A method that can't be reversed: gift cards, crypto, a Bitcoin ATM, or an e-Transfer to a stranger.

Spot any one of those three steps and you can stop the whole thing.

Prices far below everywhere else
New domain, no real contact info or address
Only accepts e-transfer, crypto or wire
Pressure to keep it secret or to act right now.
Any request for gift cards, crypto, a Bitcoin ATM or an e-Transfer to a person's name.

Pay by credit card so you can dispute it. Search the store name plus 'scam' and check reviews outside the site itself.

Call your bank or card issuer right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
Change any password you entered, and turn on two step verification.
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) in Canada, or reportfraud.ftc.gov in the US.
File a police report and keep every message, receipt and screenshot.
Watch out for "recovery" offers. Anyone promising to get your money back for a fee is running a second scam.

Fake pet sale: Cute puppy or kitten listed cheap; shipping, insurance and vet fees keep coming.
Counterfeit goods: Fake brand items sold as genuine, often through social media ads.
Fake vehicle sale: Car listed below value by a seller who is 'overseas' and ships after payment.
Ticket scam: Fake or duplicated concert and sports tickets sold online.
Subscription trap: A 'free trial' that turns into hard to cancel monthly charges.
Brushing scam: Unsolicited packages sent to you so the seller can post fake reviews in your name.

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