# Fraud allegations against Phia startup

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fraud-allegations-against-phia-startup
> Updated: 2026-08-25T12:37:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

The sustainable e-commerce startup Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, has come under investigation for alleged fraudulent commission collection practices.

Initial reports indicated that the platform, which reached a reported valuation of $185 million by early 2026, may have used a plug-in extension to facilitate unauthorized transactions. Experts alleged the software would open an invisible background tab during user activity to digitally register Phia as an affiliate marketer for purchases it did not actually facilitate.

Subsequent reports identified this practice as ‘cookie stuffing.’ This technique involves covertly inserting tracking cookies onto a user’s device without their knowledge, allowing the platform to claim unfair commissions by forcing browsers to save affiliate cookies for online sales.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Phoebe Gates faces fraud allegations regarding Phia startup

Phoebe Gates' shopping startup, Phia, faces allegations of digital fraud involving ‘cookie stuffing’ to claim unfair affiliate commissions.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/phoebe-gates-faces-fraud-allegations-regarding-phia-startup

### 2026-08-22: Phia startup accused of fraudulent commission collection

Sustainable e-commerce startup Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, is accused of using fraudulent code to collect unauthorized sales commissions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/phia-startup-accused-of-fraudulent-commission-collection

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Cite as: Fraud allegations against Phia startup. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fraud-allegations-against-phia-startup