Internet scams

Fraudulent charity solicitations, particularly those timed to exploit natural disasters, wars, and mass casualty events, are a well-documented and prevalent form of consumer fraud. In 2024, the FBI's IC3 received more than 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns.

Fake online giveaways, often using impersonated celebrity or brand accounts, are a well-documented and widespread internet scam. Regulatory agencies including the FTC have formally documented this fraud pattern and issued consumer guidance.

Fraudulent online shops and deceptive pricing practices, including fake discounts, inflated reference prices, and copycat shopping websites, are a documented and widespread form of consumer fraud. Regulatory bodies including the FTC, the European Commission, and Europol confirm these practices cause significant financial harm to consumers globally.