Toys
Around Christmas, certain toys – limited LEGO sets, sought-after games consoles or current trend toys – are often sold out or hard to get in regular retail. This is exactly the gap fake shops exploit, appearing to still have the wanted product in stock.
Very pronounced seasonality: a marked surge from October to December in the run-up to the Christmas trade.
Typical scams for Toys
- A shop displays a currently much-sought-after toy that is sold out in the trade as supposedly available immediately.
- The presentation creates time pressure ("available today only", "last items before Christmas") and advance payment is demanded.
- After payment, no delivery arrives at all, or a recognisably inferior imitation of the original product is sent.
- Product descriptions and images are recognisably copied from the official manufacturer’s shop, sometimes including the brand logo.
What to watch out for especially with Toys
A product sold out everywhere else is, of all places, "available immediately" here – often just before Christmas.
Strong time pressure through countdowns, availability notices or "last chance" wording.
Age ratings, CE marking or safety notices, which are legally required for toys, are missing.
Payment is possible only by advance transfer; purchase on invoice or buyer protection is missing.
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More categories
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Scams & warning signs