Spotting fake shops by product category
Fraudsters tailor their fake shops to demand and the season: electronics and toys before Christmas, heating material in winter, and furniture, tools and shoes & fashion all year round. Choose a category for the typical scams and warning signs.
General warning signs that apply to any shop can be found in our comprehensive fake-shop guide.
Why fake shops cluster by category and season
Consumer advice centres have observed for years that fraudulent online shops are not spread evenly across all product groups. Fraudsters deliberately choose categories with high demand and well-known brand names – there a heavily reduced price barely stands out, because many people are looking for a bargain anyway. On top of that, seasonal effects such as the Christmas trade or the winter heating season amplify which categories fake shops are especially active in.
All categories at a glance
Click a category for the typical scams, category-specific warning signs and the seasonal context.
Electronics & Tech
Smartphones, headphones, consoles & graphics cards – by far the most frequently copied category.
Scams & warning signsFurniture & Home
Designer furniture, sofas and home furnishings – long delivery times become the excuse.
Scams & warning signsShoes & Fashion
Sneakers, branded clothing and accessories – the trick with the supposed sale.
Scams & warning signsTools & DIY
Branded tools from Bosch, Makita & co. – heavily discounted and with no warranty.
Scams & warning signsHeating & Fuel
Heating oil, wood pellets and firewood – seasonally the riskiest category of all.
Scams & warning signsToys
Sought-after LEGO sets and consoles before Christmas – parents under time pressure are the target.
Scams & warning signsJewellery & Watches
Branded watches and jewellery with a supposed certificate of authenticity – often with no real check at all.
Scams & warning signsUnsure about a specific shop?
The fake-shop check evaluates over 30 trust signals automatically – regardless of the product category, free of charge and in seconds.
Check a shop nowFrequently asked questions
Fraudsters align their offering with demand and season: electronics and toys cluster before Christmas, heating material in winter, while furniture, shoes/fashion and tools are affected year-round.
Consumer advice centres have for years observed electronics in particular (smartphones, consoles, branded headphones) as an especially frequently copied category, followed by fashion/shoes and, seasonally, heating material.
No. A conspicuously low price is a strong warning sign, but category-typical signals such as missing warranty details, forced advance payment or a too-young imprint provide additional certainty.