This year, Black Friday turns into a dangerous event for shoppers as cybercriminals exploit the online sales frenzy. Scammers are using AI tools and months of planning to create fake websites mimicking Amazon, eBay, and other popular retailers. Their goal is to steal credit card details and online identities through phishing emails and malicious links.
Cybersecurity experts warn that Black Friday turns into a high-risk period for bargain hunters. Fraudulent websites, phishing attacks, and suspicious delivery messages are widespread, making it difficult for shoppers to safely navigate deals. Experts have even dubbed the situation “Black Fraud Day” due to the scale of cyber threats.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques, often leveraging artificial intelligence to make fake websites nearly indistinguishable from the real ones. Unsuspecting shoppers are lured to these sites where payments are intercepted. Fake online ads, emails offering deals that seem too good to be true, and cloned e-commerce pages have become common.
Data from NordVPN shows a shocking rise in fraudulent storefronts. Fake Amazon sites increased by over 200%, while fake eBay sites have jumped more than 500% in recent days. According to NordVPN, “Many of these sites look almost identical to the originals. Their checkout pages are traps, designed specifically to harvest personal and financial information.”
Phishing emails also direct shoppers to these fraudulent stores, creating further risks. Darktrace reports that attacks targeting Black Friday shoppers have surged over 620%. The UK Finance Annual Fraud Report 2025 indicates that fraud losses last year exceeded £1.1 billion.
Experts advise extreme caution this year. Shoppers should double-check URLs, scrutinize emails and messages from vendors, avoid public Wi-Fi, and monitor bank statements. Tools like PriceLasso and CamelCamelCamel can help verify real product prices and prevent falling for artificial discounts.
Cybersecurity professionals emphasize that Black Friday turns into more than a technical problem; it’s also a behavioral challenge. Phishing attacks exploit human instincts, and careful awareness remains the best defense against financial losses.
In other news read more about: FBI Warns Shoppers About Black Friday Fraud on Chrome and Edge
