Significant Find: Addresses of More Than 2,500 Fake Shops Discovered

Summary

Why is this warning issued?

This warning was included because it is based on a report by Watchlist Internet. It is intended to protect other users from this type of fraud. The classified risk is elevated.

How the scam works

• Current fraud case reported by Watchlist Internet. See the linked source for details.
• Fraudulent online shops lure customers with heavily discounted branded goods and appear professional at first glance.
• During the ordering process, often only payment in advance (bank transfer) remains available as a payment method.
• After payment, no goods are delivered, or counterfeit or inferior goods are delivered; the shop is later no longer reachable.

How to recognise it

• Payment in advance is the only available payment method
• Unrealistically low prices for branded goods
• Missing or faulty legal notice

How to protect yourself

• Before making a purchase, check the legal notice, reviews, and available payment methods.
• Where possible, pay using buyer protection and never transfer money in advance to unknown shops.
• Be wary of unrealistically low prices and also research the shop's name.
• Do not act under time pressure—legitimate organizations do not pressure you into acting immediately.
• If fraud is suspected, contact the relevant organization through its officially known phone number or website—never using contact details from the suspicious message.
• In cases of fraud, file a police report and inform the Verbraucherzentrale.

Affected data

Comments

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Original source

Update history

• 05/11/2026Warning added from an official source