Fake online shops

How to recognise a fake online shop

The site may look completely genuine or resemble a well-known brand.

• The prices are unrealistically low.
• The contact details are incomplete, and the company name or business ID cannot be found.
• The web address is suspicious or resembles a well-known brand in a slightly altered form.
• The only payment method is a bank transfer or card without secure payment.

How to check that an online shop is trustworthy

A little background check before ordering can save both your money and your card details.

• Search for the shop’s name together with the words "scam" or "reviews" before ordering.
• Check whether the company name, business ID and address can be found on the site.
• Preferably pay by credit card or a secure payment method.
• Do a reverse image search on the product photo; a copied image is a bad sign.
• Remember that visibility in search results or advertisements does not guarantee trustworthiness.

Why a paid advertisement does not guarantee trustworthiness

People often end up in fake online shops through paid advertisements too.

• Criminals buy advertisements so that the fake shop appears at the top of the search results.
• Fake customer reviews make the shop look trustworthy.
• Be critical of reviews, because they too can be fabricated.

What to do if you suspect or fall victim to a scam

• Contact your bank immediately if you gave out your payment or bank details or lost money. Acting quickly may stop the payment.
• File a police report at poliisi.fi if you have lost money.
• Report suspicious messages, calls or websites to the National Cyber Security Centre Finland.
• Victim Support Finland helps and advises victims at 116 006.