Online shopping scams target consumers with empty packages

Online shoppers are increasingly falling victim to deceptive practices where they receive empty boxes or merely printed photos of highly sought-after products, such as smartphones, graphics cards, or gaming consoles.

Fraudsters often exploit consumer impatience by hiding crucial details in fine print or using ambiguous abbreviations like ‘OVP’ (original packaging) to claim they delivered exactly what was described. These tactics are frequently observed on major platforms including eBay, Amazon, and Kleinanzeigen.