Cyprus warns of rising online fraud in product orders

The Consumer Protection Service under the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus has issued a warning about an increase in online fraud cases involving fake websites that imitate legitimate stores.

According to the agency, there has been a recent rise in cases where citizens make payments through supposedly official websites, but the goods are never delivered. Fraudsters create pages that visually resemble well-known online platforms, using logos, brand colors, false contact information, and attractive discounts to gain the trust of buyers.

The Service urges citizens to exercise particular caution when shopping online: to verify the authenticity of the website, check for a legal address and contact number, read user reviews, and carefully examine the return policy. It also advises avoiding websites that only accept payments via bank transfer or through suspicious platforms.

The agency recommends keeping correspondence, receipts, and screenshots in case of suspected fraud and promptly contacting the Cyprus Consumer Protection Service or the police for investigation.

According to ministry representatives, the purpose of the warning is to raise public awareness and prevent financial losses, especially amid the growing volume of online purchases ahead of the holiday season.