Fake Facebook Shops – 'Closing Down Sale'
High RiskGot a message, call or offer like this?
Take your time. Treat it as a scam until you have checked it yourself.
- Don't tap links, reply, or ring numbers it gives you. On a call, hang up.
- Don't pay, and don't share card details, PINs, passwords or codes.
- Check with whoever it claims to be, using contact details you find yourself.
Overview
Scammers run Facebook and Instagram ads claiming Irish shops are closing down, using AI-generated images and fake discounts (70-90% off) to lure users into paying for items that never arrive. The "shops" often impersonate real Irish businesses or create convincing fictional ones.
Typical Targets
- •Bargain hunters on social media
- •People who shop through Facebook/Instagram ads
- •Anyone attracted by big discounts
- •Those who don't verify websites before purchasing
Why This Scam Works
- •Huge discounts are hard to resist
- •"Closing down" creates urgency
- •AI images make products look real
- •Social media ads seem legitimate
- •Irish branding builds trust
Example
Ads appeared on Facebook claiming "Dublin Home Store" was closing after 30 years with 80% off furniture. Thousands of Irish users ordered items. The "store" didn't exist – it was a scam using AI-generated furniture images. Victims paid €50-500 each and received nothing. The fake site disappeared after two weeks.
* An illustration of how this scam works, not from a victim case we hold.
How to Avoid This Scam
- Research the company before buying – search for reviews
- Check if the business actually exists with a physical address
- Be suspicious of discounts over 50%
- Use credit cards for purchase protection
- Check the website URL carefully for misspellings
- Look for contact details – no phone number is a red flag
- If you've never heard of the shop, be extra cautious
If You've Been Caught Out
Don't panic – take these steps immediately:
- 1Contact your bank/card provider for a chargeback
- 2Report the ad to Facebook/Instagram
- 3Report to An Garda Síochána
- 4Report to the CCPC
- 5Leave reviews/warnings on consumer forums
- 6Keep all evidence: ads, emails, payment receipts
- 7If the ad offered something free and asked only for a small postage or delivery fee, that is a different scam with a different fix: the card itself needs to be blocked and reissued. Fake giveaways with a small "postage" fee
* This information is for guidance only. Always seek professional advice for your specific situation.
Who to Contact for Help
Your Bank/Card Provider
Check your card
Request chargeback
CCPC
01 402 5555
Consumer protection
An Garda Síochána
Local station
Report the fraud
Facebook/Meta
In-app reporting
Report fake ads
New scams, as they appear
New scam warnings and safety tips, as we publish them.