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Online shopping scams

Online shopping scams involve scammers pretending to be legitimate online sellers, either with a fake website or a fake ad on a genuine retailer site.

How this scam works

While many online sellers are legitimate, unfortunately scammers can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off unsuspecting shoppers.

Fake retailer websites

Scammers use the latest technology to set up fake retailer websites that look like genuine online retail stores. They may use sophisticated designs and layouts, possibly stolen logos, and even a ‘.com.au’ domain name and stolen Australian Business Number (ABN).

The biggest tip-off that a retail website is a scam is the method of payment. Scammers will often ask you to pay using a money order, pre-loaded money card, or wire transfer, but if you send your money this way, it’s unlikely you will see it again or receive your purchased item.

Online auction sites

Most online auction sites (e.g. Ebay) have strict policies to ensure their customers are not scammed. Scammers know this, so they will often try to get people to make a deal outside the auction site. Scammers may claim that the winner of an auction you were bidding in has pulled out, and offer the item for sale to you. Once they have your money, you will never hear from them again and the auction site will not be able to help you.

Online classified websites

Online classified websites promote the sale of goods and services, but allow sellers and potential buyers to negotiate on a price outside of the website.

Scammers may pose as genuine sellers and post fake ads for anything, such as rental properties, pets, used cars, boats, bikes, caravans and horses. The scammers may advertise items at a price much lower than comparable items advertised on the same site. These are known as classified scams.

Scammers may also pose as buyers, send you a cheque for more than the required payment on an item, and then ask you to refund the difference. These are known as overpayment scams.


List of Scams

  • gym-equipment
    Gym and fitness equipment

    Watch out for fake gym and fitness websites, classified adverts, and social media pages operated by scammers.

    Read More...
  • Sea Container
    23 September 2021
    Fake shipping container websites

    WA ScamNet has received a number of reports about fake websites claiming to sell discounted shipping containers that are never delivered after payment is made.

    Read More...
  • screenshot of fake webpage with french bull dog
    6 May 2021
    Pet scams: Cute pics but no pet received

    Beware of fake websites and social media accounts that claimed to puppies, leaving buyers out of pocket and without a dog.

    Read More...
  • screenshot of fake website Bora Machinery - tractor for sale
    1 February 2021
    Fake farming machinery websites

    WA ScamNet has received reports about two websites claiming to sell discounted second-hand farming machinery with products paid for but not delivered.

    Read More...
  • image of fake online mobile shop
    8 December 2020
    Fake mobile phone online stores

    WA ScamNet is warning consumers about fake online stores on Facebook featuring the latest mobile phones for sale at heavily discounted prices. 

    Read More...
  • screenshot of ariatina webpage scam square
    6 March 2020
    Beware fake Shopify sites

    Online shoppers need to be wary of fraudulent store pages operating on Shopify that advertise non-existent goods and falsely promise to donate proceeds to bushfire relief charities and animal rescue groups.

    Read More...
  • fake shopping website screenshot with copy scam site
  • ivan caravans square
    Fake caravan websites

    Warning from WA ScamNet about a fake website selling cheap second-hand caravans.

    Read More...
  • screenshot of fake puppy website royal online bullie
    20 December 2019
    Royal Online Bullies and Australian Breeder puppy scam

    Consumers are warned not to engage with Royal Bufllies Online a fake puppy website.

    Read More...
  • caredez farm small
    20 December 2019
    Caredez Farm puppy scam

    Beware of fake French Bulldog website Caredez Farm

    Read More...
  • small black and brown puppy
    19 November 2019
    Greenland Guard Dogs Scam

    WA ScamNet has shut down a fake website and social media account that claimed to sell German Shepherd and Rottweiler puppies, but left buyers out of pocket and without a dog. 

    Read More...
  • screenshot of fake webpage with french bull dog
    French Bull Rehoming Scam

    6 December 2019

    Fraudulent ‘French Bull Rehoming’ website which claims to re-home French and British bulldog puppies.

    Read More...
  • betagoaccesssory home page image
    8 October 2019
    Fake websites won’t deliver

    Western Australians in search of the bargain of the century could be scammed by fake websites that cleverly copy legitimate enterprises. Consumers need to be wary of ‘great deals’ offered via internet searches or pop-ups as scammers hope to catch victims out when impulse buying on the promise of a super bargain.

    Read More...
  • sksvipstocks-home
    Buyer beware fake websites

    How do you spot a fake website? The reality is they can look really professional and may have copied official logos, high quality images and even stolen an ABN from a real business. One sign of a fake site can be a recent copyright date but scammers may also put an older copyright date to fool you.

    Read More...
  • free-trial
    Online free trial offers

    Whether it’s a sponsored post in your social media feed or a pop up advertisement while you’re browsing the web, offers of ‘free trials’ or ‘samples’ are a common sight for internet users. WA ScamNet warns online consumers to be aware of the fine print when accepting a so called free trial.

    Read More...
  • Outboardprice.com square
    17 December 2019
    Fake Outboard Motor Websites

    WA ScamNet has received reports about a number of fake websites selling cheap outboard motors.

    Read More...
  • Wander breaks
    Fake holiday accommodation websites

    WA ScamNet have received five separate reports from consumers who lost money after receiving a call from a company offering cheap holiday accommodation.

    Read More...
  • fake power tools small image
    Fake power tools websites

    Two fake websites selling power tools were recently reported to WA ScamNet. The websites claim to sell discounted power tools with items ordered but not delivered.

    Read More...
  • Aquarium fake website scam
    Fake aquariums and accessories website

    WA ScamNet has received a report about a fake wesite, aquarium center, claiming to sell heavily discounted aquariums and accessories with further reductions offered for payment by bank transfer. Goods were ordered but not received.

    Read More...
  • bbqworld
    12 January 2018
    Fake barbecue product websites

    Consumers need to be careful about which online retailers they use after at least two cases where people ordered barbecue equipment that never arrived.

    Read More...
  • Marine Bazaar
    11 January 2018
    Bogus boating website

    We have had reports about the website www.marinebazaar.com.au, which is bogus even though it appears legitimate at first glance.

    Read More...
  • Siberian Husky Puppy Scam examples
    Husky and Pomsky puppy scam

    This puppy scam hits victims twice!  It advertises for husky or pomsky puppies but then also hits up the buyers for additional fees for insurances, vaccines and shipping.

    Read More...
  • Fake massage chair and scooter scam
    6 November 2017
    Fake massage chair and scooter websites

    WA ScamNet has received a number of reports from consumers who have tried to purchase massage chairs, mobility scooters and children’s scooters from various websites, and never received the products.

    Read More...
  • gardensales
    22 August 2017
    Fake Outdoor Equipment

    Do NOT buy anything online from GardenOutdoorSales.com.au, the website is a front to steal money.

    Read More...
  • CavoodleAug17scam
    Cavoodle puppy scam

    Consumers have paid for a puppy either via a website or by responding to an online classifieds advertisement only to find out the whole thing’s a fraud.

    Read More...
  • OnsalemarketdealsLogo
    Onsalemarketdeals and directonlinedeals websites

    Do not place orders with the website directonlinedeals.com.au or onsalemarketdeals.com as WA ScamNet investigates if the website is fraudulent.

    Read More...
  • A cute grey kitten in a red Christmas stocking
    Kitten and puppy scams

    Don’t let kitten scammers get their claws into your money. It’s a new version of the age-old puppy scam. Scammers advertise a puppy or kitten for sale in the classifieds either in newspapers or online, usually providing an email address as a contact point. The animal being advertised is often a popular breed and the asking price is lower than the market value. The seller requests that payment for a crate and shipping of the kitten or puppy be sent by wire transfer. Sadly the animal never arrives and Consumer Protection has received reports of monetary loss from many heartbroken would-be pet owners.

    Read More...
  • Jet with her paw on a silver laptop
    Online auction and shopping scams

     It is possible to buy almost anything over the internet these days. Unfortunately, scammers can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off unsuspecting shoppers. Scammers can pretend to be selling a product—often very cheaply—just so they can steal your credit card or bank account details. Similarly, they may take your money but send you a faulty or worthless product instead—or even nothing at all.

    Read More...
  • ebay logo
    eBay invoice scam

    An eBay invoice arrives in your inbox for a brand new Guess handbag or other personal product that you never ordered. Confused? You need not be because this is a fake email.

    Read More...

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