Online shoppers beware – a new scam is making the rounds on social media promising unbelievable deals on retro video game consoles. Scammers are promoting a fake “$18.99 ANBERNIC RG353VS Game Console Sale” on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with the intention of stealing money and personal information from unsuspecting buyers. This article will provide an in-depth overview of how this scam operates, so you can avoid falling victim.
Overview of the Scam
The scam promotion claims to offer the ANBERNIC RG353VS retro gaming handheld for only $18.99. This is an unrealistic price, as the RG353VS normally retails for $119 or more from legitimate sellers. Scammers are using enticing slogans like “Clearance Sale”, “Limited Time Offer” and “Store Closing Sale” to lure shoppers into thinking they are getting an incredible bargain.
Clicking these social media links brings users to elaborate scam websites made to mimic real online retailers. For example, “fiendnwave.com” has sections like “Hot Sale” and “Clearance” plus detailed product pages with fabricated specs, fake reviews and recommendations. This façade builds trust to convince visitors they are on a legitimate store site with amazing deals.
In reality, it is a complete scam operation run out of China. All items in their inventory are fictitious, and they have no physical products to ship. Yet their websites have refined checkout processes allowing shoppers to enter personal details like name, address and payment info. This enables them to steal identities and financial data to commit further fraud.
After customers submit orders, the websites essentially disappear. Passwords no longer work, emails bounce back, and the domain often gets taken down quickly. Victims never receive any confirmation with order details or tracking info. These “ghost” sellers simply take the money and run.
The overwhelmingly most common outcome is customers receive absolutely nothing after being scammed. Their identities and payment details are stolen, bank accounts drained and credit cards charged for products that will never arrive.
In rarer cases, victims eventually receive cheap counterfeit versions of what they ordered, or random used and damaged goods essentially pulled from the garbage. For example, someone expecting the advertised ANBERNIC RG353VS console might eventually get a flimsy $5 handheld that looks nothing like the real product.
Either way, this massive scam ring ensnares untold online shoppers daily through deceptive ads and convincing storefronts. They are masters at quickly building networks of fake ecommerce sites to rip people off and collect personal data to sell on dark web markets.
How the ANBERNIC RG353VS Sale Scam Works
Here is a step-by-step overview of how this scam operates to steal money and information from customers:
Step 1: Fake Social Media Ads
The first point of contact is usually a sponsored ad on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. The ad contains pictures of the ANBERNIC RG353VS console along with text like:
“$18.99 ANBERNIC RG353VS Game Console Sale – 😢Sadly, I am closing my collection. We no longer take custom orders and are only selling out our in-store stock, therefore, I am discounting my entire collection up to 49% off! FIENDNWAVE.COM – The Best Gift”
The goal is to make the discounted price seem believable by claiming limited stock and an urgent store closure.
Step 2: Landing on the Scam Website
Clicking the link in the social media ad brings visitors to the scam website, like “fiendnwave.com” for example. This site is made to look like a real online retailer selling electronics and games.
The homepage features sections like “Hot Sale”, “Clearance”, and “Limited Time Deals” to reinforce the idea of getting discounted products. The ANBERNIC RG353VS deal is prominently displayed along with a countdown timer to create a false sense of urgency.
Step 3: Fake Product Pages
If you click on the RG353VS listing, you are brought to a detailed product page showing images, specs, pricing options, consumer reviews and recommendations for related products.
All of this content is fabricated to make the deal look authentic. The specs are copied from real ANBERNIC listings while the customer reviews are completely fake. Comments like “My son loves this!” or “Best gift I ever bought” help convince visitors they are on a legitimate retail site.
Step 4: Checkout and Payment
When customers add the RG353VS to their cart and proceed to checkout, they are prompted to enter their full name, shipping address, phone number, email and payment card details.
This is the main goal of the scammers – to steal identities and payment information. They have no actual products to ship out, but submitting order details gives them all the personal and financial data they want.
The site accepts payments through Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal for added perceived legitimacy. However, this just allows them to process fraudulent charges on stolen cards.
Step 5: Disappearance After Order Placement
Once an order is placed and payment authorized, customers will not receive any confirmation email with order details or tracking information. The scam site essentially ghosts them and communication goes dead.
Victims that try to log back into their accounts or contact customer service find that emails bounce back and passwords no longer work. The entire site essentially disappears or gets taken down shortly after they collect payment information.
Step 6: No Products Shipped Out
Weeks go by without any delivery attempt, as no actual products exist to fulfill orders. The majority of victims end up receiving nothing at all after being scammed.
In some rare cases, victims eventually receive cheap knock-offs made with poor quality materials that in no way match the advertised product. However, most people have their money and information stolen without any merchandise ever being shipped.y sponsored posts before clicking links or handing over any personal information.
Uncovering the ANBERNIC RG353VS Scam: Red Flags
Looking closely, this scam has many red flags that consumers should watch out for:
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing – An 80%+ discount on a newly released console like the RG353VS is simply unrealistic. If it seems too good to be true, it almost always is.
- High pressure tactics – Limited time countdowns and claims of dwindling inventory pressure customers to buy before thinking it through.
- No real social presence – The Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts have no established histories and only promote the deals.
- Missing contact details – No phone, address or live support options are provided by the site.
- Copied designs & content – The site templates and product info appear replicated across scam sites tied to this network.
- No transparency – The “About Us” page is vague with no specifics on who owns or runs the business.
- Fraudulent reviews – Reviews seem fake and use stock images instead of real customer photos.
- Domain registered recently – Scam sites like “fiendnwave.com” have anonymous domain registrations and were often created just weeks or months ago.
Any combination of these factors should set off alarm bells and signal that a website cannot be trusted.
How to Identify the Scam on Social Media
This sophisticated scam operation relies heavily on sponsored ads across social media to promote their fake deals. Here are tips to recognize their scam posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok:
Watch for Facebook ads with:
- Exaggerated discounts on electronics like “75% off ANBERNIC RG353VS”
- Suspicious new sellers and product pages you don’t recognize
- High pressure tactics like “Only 2 left!” or “Ending soon!”
- Posts and comments disabled to prevent exposing them
- Profiles with generic names and stock images for profile pics
- Recent page creation dates and low follower counts
- Ad transparency showing multiple ads running from one page
Look for Instagram posts with:
- Price that seem too good to be true like “$29 Apple Watch”
- Hundreds of sketchy tags like #free, #discount, #giveaway
- Reposted pics found on AliExpress and other sites
- Comment spam of emojis and gibberish
- Profile details full of unrelated hashtags instead of legit info
- No posts from actual users – everything is just ads
- Link in bio sending to an unrelated scammer site
TikTok
Watch for TikTok videos promoting:
- “Secret” coupon codes and sales ending “tonight only!”
- Products different from their profile’s usual content
- The same ad video reposted hundreds of times
- Stock videos and images not showing actual products
- Links in bios and captions going to scam sites
- Comments disabled to hide negative feedback
Always research unfamiliar sellers promoting deals on social media before engaging. Contact trusted brands directly if an offer seems questionable. Verify sponso
What to Do If You Are a Victim
If you unfortunately fell for this ANBERNIC RG353VS sale scam, here are some important steps to take right away:
- Contact your bank or credit card provider – Report the charges as fraudulent so they can reverse the payments, issue refunds and monitor your account for future suspicious activity.
- Report identity theft – File reports with the FTC and FBI since the scammers have your personal information. Consider putting a freeze on your credit reports as well.
- Secure other accounts – Change passwords on all of your online accounts, especially financial and email accounts that could be vulnerable. Make sure two-factor authentication is enabled when possible.
- Warn contacts – Let your friends and followers on social media know about the scam so they don’t fall for it too. Report the fake ads and accounts used to promote the deal.
- Leave online reviews – Post reviews detailing your experience on scam reporting sites like Ripoff Report and the Better Business Bureau to help warn other potential victims.
- Spread awareness – Share your story on social media and with local news outlets. Getting the word out is key to stopping these scammers in their tracks and preventing further losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ANBERNIC RG353VS Sale Scam
This scam exploiting shoppers through social media ads and fake websites raises many questions for consumers. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this deceitful operation.
What exactly is this ANBERNIC RG353VS sale scam?
This is an online shopping scam where promoters use Facebook, Instagram and TikTok ads to direct consumers to fraudulent websites selling the ANBERNIC RG353VS gaming device for only $18.99. The ads claim limited inventory because of a store closing. In reality, it is a ploy to steal money and personal information.
How does the ANBERNIC RG353VS sale scam work?
Scammers first draw people in with social media ads promising unrealistic prices on the RG353VS console. The ads link to convincing fake store sites where shoppers enter payment and personal details. After submitting orders and payments, victims receive nothing while scammers disappear with their data.
What are some common ANBERNIC RG353VS sale scam website names?
Some example site names scammers have used include fiendnwave.com, gamejaguar.com and retrogizmo.com. They quickly build and change sites to stay ahead of exposures.
Why is the advertised ANBERNIC RG353VS price a scam?
The real RG353VS sells for around $119. Scammers advertise it for $18.99 to lure bargain hunters willing to buy without scrutiny. This 85%+ discount is unrealistic and a clear red flag something is amiss.
What do victims of the sale scam receive?
The vast majority receive absolutely nothing. Their money is stolen and no products are shipped. In rare cases, victims eventually receive used, damaged or cheap knock-off items that in no way match what was ordered.
What should you do if you encounter the ANBERNIC RG353VS sale scam?
If you come across this scam promotion, avoid engaging with the ads. Report them as fraud to social networks. Search online for the website names which likely have existing scam warnings. Share this article to spread awareness of the deceitful tactics.
How can you avoid falling for the ANBERNIC RG353VS scam?
Be skeptical of discounts over 50% on electronics and research unfamiliar sellers thoroughly before providing payment information. Beware of limited time offers pressure tactics. Always pay with credit cards for purchase protection. Trust your instincts.
What should you do if you are a victim of the sale scam?
Immediately contact your bank and credit card issuer to report the charges as fraudulent. File reports with the FTC and FBI for identity theft support. Monitor your credit reports and accounts closely for further suspicious activity. Change all passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
How can the ANBERNIC RG353VS sale scam be stopped?
Exposing the scam tactics through articles and social media helps prevent further victims. Reporting fake ads and sites to authorities disrupts operations. Media coverage spreading awareness makes these scams less profitable. Consumers being vigilant and wary of unbelievable deals also slows their success.
The Bottom Line
The supposed “$18.99 ANBERNIC RG353VS Game Console Sale” being promoted on social media is a complete scam designed to steal money and sensitive personal data. Consumers should avoid this deal at all costs and be on high alert for similar online shopping scams.
Always verify seller reputations, look out for red flags, use credit cards for added protection and trust your gut if an offer seems unrealistic. If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Share this article and spread awareness so fewer people fall victim to these underhanded tactics. Shop safely and cautiously in the digital age.
