LEGO Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam: Don’t Fall For It!

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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LEGO is one of the most popular and beloved toy brands in the world, with millions of fans and collectors of all ages. However, this popularity also attracts scammers who try to take advantage of unsuspecting customers by creating fake online shopping sites that sell LEGO products at very low prices. These sites are designed to look like legitimate LEGO websites, using the LEGO logo, images, and fonts. They are often promoted via social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, as well as spam emails. In this blog post, we will explain what the LEGO fake online shopping sites scam is, how it works, and what you can do if you have fallen victim to it.

Fake Lego Store

What is the LEGO Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam?

The LEGO fake online shopping sites scam is a type of online fraud that involves creating and operating fake websites that claim to sell LEGO products at very high discounts, sometimes up to 90% off. These websites are not authorized by LEGO and do not have any affiliation with the company. They are simply using the LEGO name and logo to lure customers into buying counterfeit or non-existent products.

The scammers behind these websites usually register domain names that are similar to the official LEGO website, such as lego-shop.com, lego-store.com, lego-official.com, etc. They also use SSL certificates to make their websites appear secure and trustworthy. They copy the layout, design, and content of the official LEGO website, including the product descriptions, reviews, and customer service information. They also offer free shipping, easy returns, and various payment methods.

However, these websites are nothing but a scam. Customers who order from these websites either receive fake or low-quality products that do not match the description or images on the website, or they receive nothing at all. The scammers then disappear with the money and personal information of the customers, leaving them with no way to contact them or get a refund.

How does the LEGO Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam work?

The LEGO fake online shopping sites scam works by exploiting the trust and enthusiasm of LEGO fans who are looking for a good deal on their favorite products. The scammers use various techniques to attract and deceive customers, such as:

  • Advertising their websites on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, using sponsored posts, ads, or fake accounts that pose as LEGO fans or influencers. They often use hashtags such as #lego, #legofan, #legodeal, etc. to reach a large audience.
  • Sending spam emails to potential customers, using subject lines such as “LEGO Clearance Sale”, “LEGO Exclusive Offer”, “LEGO Limited Time Deal”, etc. The emails usually contain links to their fake websites or attachments that contain malware or phishing software.
  • Creating fake reviews and testimonials on their websites or on third-party platforms such as Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or Facebook Reviews. They often use bots or paid reviewers to generate positive feedback and ratings for their websites and products.
  • Using fake customer service agents or chatbots to respond to customer inquiries or complaints. They often use generic or scripted responses that do not address the specific issues or questions of the customers. They also use excuses such as delays in shipping, customs issues, technical problems, etc. to avoid providing refunds or replacements.

The scammers usually target customers from different countries and regions, using different domain names and currencies. They also change their website names and addresses frequently to avoid detection and legal action.

What to do if you have fallen victim to the LEGO Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam?

If you have ordered from a fake LEGO website and realized that you have been scammed, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent further losses:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately and report the fraudulent transaction. Ask them to cancel your card and issue a chargeback if possible.
  • Contact the official LEGO customer service and report the fake website. Provide them with as much information as possible about your order and the website you ordered from, such as screenshots, receipts, emails, etc.
  • File a complaint with your local consumer protection agency or law enforcement agency. Provide them with the same information you provided to LEGO customer service.
  • Report the fake website and social media accounts to the platform providers such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Google, etc. Ask them to remove or block the scam content.
  • Warn your friends and family about the scam and advise them not to order from any suspicious websites that claim to sell LEGO products at very low prices.

Conclusion

The LEGO fake online shopping sites scam is a serious threat to LEGO fans who want to buy their favorite products online. It is important to be vigilant and careful when shopping online and avoid falling for these scams. Here are some tips to help you spot and avoid fake LEGO websites:

  • Always check the domain name of the website and make sure it matches the official LEGO website, which is www.lego.com. Look for spelling errors, extra characters, or unusual extensions.
  • Always check the security of the website and make sure it has a valid SSL certificate. Look for a padlock icon or a “https” prefix in the address bar.
  • Always check the reviews and ratings of the website and the products on third-party platforms such as Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or Facebook Reviews. Look for negative feedback, complaints, or warnings from other customers.
  • Always check the prices and discounts of the products and compare them with the official LEGO website or other authorized retailers. If the prices are too good to be true, they probably are.
  • Always check the contact information and customer service of the website and make sure they are legitimate and responsive. Look for a physical address, phone number, email address, or live chat option.
  • Always use a secure payment method such as PayPal or a credit card when ordering online. Avoid using direct bank transfers, wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies.

Remember, if you have any doubts or questions about a website that claims to sell LEGO products, you can always contact the official LEGO customer service or visit the official LEGO website for more information. Stay safe and happy building!

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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