Fake brand websites target shoppers on social media with bogus sales

It’s a jungle out there on the internet, and unfortunately, not all the creatures lurking in the digital undergrowth are friendly.

In recent months, a worrying trend has emerged: scam websites are popping up left, right, and centre, pretending to be Australian brands like Blue Illusion, Millers, and Sussan.

These imposters lure unsuspecting shoppers—many of whom are over 60 and looking for a bargain—by advertising irresistible 'closing down' sales on social media. But instead of a great deal, victims are left empty-handed and out of pocket.


Let’s set the scene. You’re scrolling through social media, perhaps catching up with friends or checking out the latest news when an ad catches your eye.

It looks just like your favourite clothing store—same logo, same colours, even a photo of a familiar storefront.


1748220973306.png
Shoppers are being tricked by fake websites posing as Aussie brands with bogus 'closing down' sales. Credit: Facebook


The ad tugs at your heartstrings: 'Saying goodbye is tough, dear ladies…our final sale is on now—let’s make this chapter truly unforgettable.'

But here’s the catch: clicking the ad takes you to a website that looks almost identical to the real deal and has a strange web address (like yayeco.top or zugite.top).

These sites are expertly crafted to mimic the genuine article, but they’re nothing more than digital mirages.


The real Blue Illusion, for example, isn’t closing down at all—yet these scam sites are convincing enough to fool even the savviest shoppers.

Take Elizabeth Bednall from Melbourne. After seeing an ad on social media, she thought she’d scored a bargain—a raincoat and a pair of pants for $79.99 from what she believed was Blue Illusion.

The items never arrived, and the website stopped responding to her emails.

Thankfully, Elizabeth managed to get her money back through her bank, but not everyone was so lucky.

'I’m not that dumb. But I did feel stupid,' Elizabeth admitted.

And she’s not alone. Many shoppers have reported similar experiences, feeling embarrassed and frustrated after being duped by these sophisticated scams.


You might wonder why these fake stores are allowed to operate at all.

The answer is complicated. The scammers use platforms like Shopify to build their websites, PayPal to process payments, and social media giants like Facebook (owned by Meta) to advertise.

Each company claims to have safeguards in place, but the reality is that scammers are quick, clever, and often based overseas, making them hard to track down and shut down.

Meta, for example, says it’s investing in new tools to prevent scams and works with law enforcement to protect users.

However, as Vicki Forscutt from NSW discovered, reporting a scam ad doesn’t always lead to action. '

As our review team is focused on the most severe cases with potential for real-world harm, we’re not able to review your report,' Meta told her.


PayPal, meanwhile, says it verifies all Australian sellers and has removed some fake sites from its platform.

However, if the scammer is based overseas, different laws and regulations can make it much harder to stop them.

If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, stay calm—there are steps you can take.

Start by contacting your bank or credit card provider, as they may be able to reverse the transaction or help recover your money.

Next, report the scam to the ACCC’s Scamwatch and flag the ad or website on the platform where you saw it, such as Facebook or Instagram.

Finally, warn others by sharing your experience with friends, family, and online communities like the Seniors Discount Club to help protect others from falling into the same trap.


While individual vigilance is crucial, there’s a growing call for tech giants and payment platforms to do more.

Experts say companies like Meta, Shopify, and PayPal need to tighten their verification processes and respond more quickly to reports of fraud.

After all, if they’re profiting from these ads and transactions, shouldn’t they bear some responsibility for protecting their users?

In other news, a rising wave of deceptive 'ghost' stores targets Australian shoppers with fake local deals.

More than 140 of these sites have been uncovered, often using emotional marketing to trick customers into buying poor-quality products. You can read more about it here.
Key Takeaways

  • Fake websites impersonating popular Australian brands like Blue Illusion, Sussan and Millers are tricking shoppers with bogus 'closing down' sales on social media.
  • Victims have lost money after buying items from these scam sites, often advertised through social media, and haven’t received their purchases.
  • Customers and consumer advocates are calling on companies like Meta, PayPal and Shopify to do more to stop scammers from using their platforms, but responses from these companies have been limited.
  • The scam sites often use confusingly similar branding and international payment processors, making it hard for Australian authorities and customers to track down the culprits and get refunds.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a fake brand website? What tips do you have for spotting scams online? Share your stories and advice in the comments below.
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
These ads pop up from time to time and the last thing you should do is access the site from Facebook etc. If you want to check out their claim to closing down, get on to the actual website via search engine instead.
I don’t cut off my nose to spite my face, being disabled online shopping is a godsend, but always check everything thoroughly and try to stick with the same people I have come to trust,
 
I have discovered that my local pharmacy, that advertise all their products at a cheaper on sale price, actually are not so cheap afterall. My daughter found the exact products that we purchased at the pharmacy, to be one fifth of the price at the well known on line TEMU company. Before you make your next purchase at your pharmacy, be it for makeup, skin cream or what ever you are purchasing there, check out the price for the exact same item with the on line TEMU price, and enjoy big time savings. 🙏🦋
not sure if you saw A Currant Affair a while back but the reason Temu is cheaper is possibly because of pinching Australian designs etc they had one lady who sold youngsters clothes online for 1 price and Temu copied it...........she complained about it but it took a while for the other site to be taken down.........I won't buy from Temu ...........it's hard on the pocket I know but I try to keep it at home
 
  • Like
Reactions: Veggiepatch
I have discovered that my local pharmacy, that advertise all their products at a cheaper on sale price, actually are not so cheap afterall. My daughter found the exact products that we purchased at the pharmacy, to be one fifth of the price at the well known on line TEMU company. Before you make your next purchase at your pharmacy, be it for makeup, skin cream or what ever you are purchasing there, check out the price for the exact same item with the on line TEMU price, and enjoy big time savings. 🙏🦋
Temu are cheaply made products mostly shipped directly from China where they are made!
 
Temu are cheaply made products mostly shipped directly from China where they are made!
I respect your opinion totally. Its just that the EXACT same hand cream and make up that I purchased from a well known pharmacy, who claim to have everything discounted, sold us the identical hand cream and make up products at a price that was five times more than the hand creams and makeup was priced at TEMU. 🙏🦋
 
not sure if you saw A Currant Affair a while back but the reason Temu is cheaper is possibly because of pinching Australian designs etc they had one lady who sold youngsters clothes online for 1 price and Temu copied it...........she complained about it but it took a while for the other site to be taken down.........I won't buy from Temu ...........it's hard on the pocket I know but I try to keep it at home
Temu don't actually make products, they are like Amazon they are just the selling agent
If you are making products and you don't want them copied you have to go to the astronomical expense of taking out patents and then being able to afford to sue people when they do copy.
It's the name of the game I'm afraid.
Most products purchased in Australia these days are made in China anyway you just pay a lot more for them.
Even when you by from Australian companies many of them have the products made in China. Bangladesh
India. Vietnam etc
I prefer my money in my pocket. Temu for me
I respect your opinion totally. Its just that the EXACT same hand cream and make up that I purchased from a well known pharmacy, who claim to have everything discounted, sold us the identical hand cream and make up products at a price that was five times more than the hand creams and makeup was priced at TEMU. 🙏🦋
Most people who complain about Temu have never bought anything from them
I can buy the same brand, same size etc moisturiser from Temu for a quarter of the price charged here, free delivery to my door..
The quality of the clothes is exactly the same as here. If you buy say a jumper in the twenties dollar price range, It is similar to one you would pay about $50 here.
If you buy one for $5 - $10 then you get cheaper quality such as KMart.
I get complimented on my Temu clothes, shoes etc all the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlecornu
No, websites are dodgy as well. I got caught with a Melbourne website saying they were closing down to go online instead. I ordered a cardigan. The item came direct from China. The same item was on Temu, but I paid more. People should check with Trustpilot Australia - reviews, which I should have checked before doing my online order. :rolleyes:
Yes, I was fooled once too. One of those ‘family businesses’ forced to close down. Now I check Temu and always find the identical item at a fraction of the price.
 
Yes, I was fooled once too. One of those ‘family businesses’ forced to close down. Now I check Temu and always find the identical item at a fraction of the price.
I saw an ad on Facebook for some fairy 3D ornaments for your garden. They were pretty and judging from the comments many people had been buying 3 or 4 of different ones and some people buying the whole range of 8. They were $39.95 or $29.95 if you bought 3 or more free postage if you bought the set.

I bought the same things from Temu for between $2.95 and $3.95 free to my door.

A lot of people who talk crap about Temu are buying the same products from Australian sellers, just paying 10 times more for them. Stupid fools.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Veggiepatch

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×