Nearly 1/8 German shoppers deceived by online fake stores, survey shows

BERLIN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Nearly one in eight online shoppers in Germany has fallen victim to fake stores on the internet over the past two years, according to a report released on Thursday by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV).

The study, based on a survey conducted by polling institute Forsa between Sept. 1 and 12 this year, among 1,503 people aged 14 and above, found that fake online stores, often designed to look strikingly authentic, take payments for goods that never reach customers.

According to the study, nearly 70 percent of consumers who had shopped online in the past two years said they had come across a website that appeared dubious or fraudulent, and 51 percent reported encountering such sites multiple times.

Consumer complaints about fake online stores have surged in recent years. In 2024, consumer protection agencies recorded more than 10,000 complaints, marking a 47 percent increase from 2023. In the first three quarters of 2025, over 8,000 complaints had already been filed.

The VZBV said major online platforms such as Google and Meta must take greater responsibility for combating online fraud, noting that half of the fake shops it examined had placed ads on these platforms.

"Those who profit from advertising cannot shirk their responsibility," said VZBV board member Ramona Pop. ■