Online shopping is very common, easy and enjoyable. You do not have to leave home, and product prices are usually lower. What is more, the courier delivers the order right to your door. And if the product does not meet our expectations, we can always return it.

Police:

However, among the many available offers, we may come across a dishonest seller.

What should make us suspicious?

  • a very low product price
  • no clearly visible information about the delivery date
  • no possibility of paying cash on delivery or through a special portal handling payments for this type of purchase
  • payment exclusively by bank transfer
  • a link to bank accounts that allow only one method of payment
  • shop names that deceptively resemble the name of a well-known auction portal.

What should we pay attention to?

  • the seller’s contact details: whether they provide the shop’s address and telephone number, and whether they can be called. If the seller asks you to contact them by SMS and then calls you back from a withheld number, this should make you suspicious.
  • how long the shop has been operating on the market. This allows us to check the seller.
  • check opinions about the seller on several social media platforms; do not rely only on comments posted on their website.
  • check or ask for the auction number. If the seller provides you only with a website link, they will redirect you to their own website again (which may be fake).

These are only examples of fraud methods; nevertheless, criminals are becoming increasingly inventive, so always think twice before taking advantage of an attractive offer.

Where can we seek help if we fall victim to fraud?

A person who has fallen victim to online fraud (cybercrime) has the right to report the commission of an offence to a police unit or the prosecutor’s office, preferably the one nearest to their place of residence or the place where they are currently located.

Because of the possibility of losing or destroying computer data, a report of this type of offence should be filed as soon as possible after it is discovered. (This increases the chances of law enforcement securing complete evidence and identifying the perpetrator).