Fake brand websites target shoppers on social media with bogus sales
- Replies 38
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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