AMSTERDAM - The police raised concerns about an explosive increase in the number of fake web shops that never deliver ordered products. Reports have skyrocketed in recent months, and the police expect even more in May and June when people have their holiday pay to spend on bigger purchases, the Telegraaf reports. 

Web shop fraud peaked at 3,000 reports in March 2021, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Reports fell from July 2021 but suddenly spiked again this year. The police received over 2,000 reports of this type of fraud in January, compared to around 1,000 in September last year. 

“This is no longer a petty crime,” Gijs van der Linden of the police’s National Internet Fraud Hotline told the newspaper. These fake shops quickly make 50,000 to 60,000 euros and then disappear. 

According to Van der Linden, social media has become a common way for criminals to lure customers to rogue web shops. “People are tempted by attractive advertisements via Instagram or Facebook. Products are offered for a fraction of the normal price. For example, a Dyson vacuum cleaner is sold for a few tens of euros. But once purchased, people never receive the product.” Criminals also respond to the seasons. “For example, in December you see gaming consoles, in the spring you see garden furniture and hot tubs.” 

The police officer warned consumers to be extra vigilant about online deals. “Search online for reviews or check on Politie.nl whether the website is mentioned. You can also use a check site to see whether the online store is real or not. Be alert and careful. And if something seems too good to be true, then it is.”