# Online phishing and e-commerce fraud trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/online-phishing-and-e-commerce-fraud-trends
> Updated: 2026-09-22T01:00:39.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Authorities and consumer protection agencies are warning of an increase in sophisticated online fraud and phishing scams. Criminals are utilizing professional designs, replicating brand logos and layouts to create deceptive webshops and phishing sites.

In the context of second-hand and classified advertisement platforms, scammers are increasingly attempting to move communications away from official platform chats to external channels like email or messengers. These tactics often involve requesting product videos to initiate contact, followed by sending fake notifications regarding failed payments. These fraudulent messages may then request sensitive credit card or PayPal credentials, sometimes via QR codes. 

To mitigate these risks, users are advised to verify merchant data, use platform-integrated payment functions, and avoid conducting transactions outside of official, secured channels.

## Claims

- Phishing scams are targeting users on second-hand online platforms. (single source)
- Sellers on platforms like Vinted have experienced financial losses ranging from four to five figures. (single source)
- Scammers use fake emails that appear to be from Vinted to request PayPal login credentials. (single source)
- Fraudsters send fake portal messages, sometimes using QR codes, to solicit credit card information. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-22: Second-hand platforms face rise in phishing scams

Sellers on second-hand platforms like Vinted are facing phishing scams resulting in four-to-five-figure losses through fake emails and fraudulent payment requests.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/second-hand-platforms-face-rise-in-phishing-scams

### 2026-09-16: Online fraud: Tips to recognize fake shops and phishing scams

Consumers are warned to stay vigilant against professional-looking online shop scams and phishing attempts on classified ad platforms by verifying merchant data and avoiding external payment links.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/online-fraud-tips-to-recognize-fake-shops-and-phishing-scams

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Cite as: Online phishing and e-commerce fraud trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/online-phishing-and-e-commerce-fraud-trends