Online 'ghost stores,' which are digital-only businesses, are reportedly scamming customers by providing fake tracking numbers to payment platforms like PayPal, falsely indicating goods have been delivered. An Australian woman from Geelong lost $490.90 to 'Maison Canberra,' a Shopify-built store that disappeared after taking her money. Consumer experts are urging platforms like Shopify, Meta, and PayPal to take more responsibility for enabling these fraudulent activities and better protect scam victims.
Online ‘ghost stores’ are providing fake tracking numbers to dupe payment platforms, Australian shopper says
ScamsAustraliaRetail industryPayPalBusiness
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Online 'ghost stores,' which are digital-only businesses, are reportedly scamming customers by providing fake tracking numbers to payment platforms like PayPal, falsely indicating goods have been delivered. An Australian woman from Geelong lost $490.90 to 'Maison Canberra,' a Shopify-built store that disappeared after taking her money. Consumer experts are urging platforms like Shopify, Meta, and PayPal to take more responsibility for enabling these fraudulent activities and better protect scam victims.
Trending- 1 March 31 (2025): Guardian Australia bought a blouse from Maison Canberra.
- 2 April (2025): Geelong woman tried to buy items from Maison Canberra.
- 3 April 1 (2025): Maison Canberra sent email saying item shipped (to Guardian Australia).
- 4 April 29 (2025): PayPal denied Geelong woman's claim.
- 5 May 11 (2025): Geelong woman filed formal complaint with PayPal.
- 6 May 26 (2025): Geelong woman received refund from PayPal.
- 7 Ongoing: Guardian Australia tracked 140 ghost stores. ACCC investigating ghost stores.
- Financial loss for customers
- Distress for scam victims
- Erosion of trust in online shopping and payment platforms
- Reputational damage for legitimate platforms
- Calls for increased responsibility from e-commerce and social media platforms
What: Online 'ghost stores' are scamming customers by providing fake tracking numbers to payment platforms, making it appear as if goods have been delivered when they haven't. A specific case of a Geelong woman being scammed by 'Maison Canberra' is highlighted.
When: Geelong woman's experience in April (unspecified year, but article is 2025, so likely 2025). Guardian Australia bought an item on March 31 (2025). Site sent email on April 1 (2025). PayPal denied claim on April 29 (2025). Woman filed formal complaint on May 11 (2025). Refund granted May 26 (2025).
Where: Australia (general context); Geelong (woman's location); Canberra (fictitious store location).
Why: To defraud customers and payment platforms by creating the illusion of legitimate transactions and deliveries.
How: Ghost stores are built on e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify), use fictitious advertising (e.g., Facebook), take customer money, and then provide fake tracking numbers to payment platforms (e.g., PayPal) to avoid refunds.