E-commerce scams target consumers with deceptive online offers

A growing trend of fraudulent practices in e-commerce is targeting consumers through deceptive online shops. These retailers often advertise products at incomparably low prices to attract buyers, who then prepay for items that are never delivered.

Reports submitted to the Consumer Ombudsman and the Quality of Life Consumer Association (EK. POI. ZO) highlight that these businesses frequently use excuses such as shipping damage or unforeseen delays to stall. In some instances, these shops appear to use customer prepayments as interest-free loans or working capital, with no intention of ever fulfilling the orders.