By Oluwatosin Maliki
In preparation for the festive season, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has issued a warning to Nigerians, about the increase in fake online stores, while cautioning the public, against patronizing the customary seasonal sales, known as ‘Black Friday’.
The advisory statement was released by Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC on Thursday.
Irukera said the Commission forsee a 135 per cent rise in fake online stores.
Hence, the Commission emphasized that consumers should be vigilant and purchase items from trusted and credible platforms to satisfy their needs.
The statement partly read, “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has received credible intelligence that the customary seasonal sales at deep discounts on a specific Friday, otherwise known as ‘Black Friday’, may witness an increase of fake online stores by 135%, including scams, misrepresentation and other exploitative conduct. This information is corroborated by publicly available reports such as Netcraft”.
“The Commission advises consumers to be vigilant and discerning in this period and to demand and insist on their rights, particularly concerning full and transparent disclosures,” he said.
Meanwhile, Netcraft, a research group, had earlier raised alarm concerning the rise of fake online stores ahead of Black Friday sales, which officially commenced on 24th-27th November after the United Thanksgiving Day celebration.
Furthermore, Netcraft pointed out that fraudulent online stores have adopted this techniques, which also include offering bogus discounts and impersonating luxurious, fake websites to deceive their victims and scam them of their money.
The harsh economic realties has also affected the pockets of many Nigerians, the country is currently facing inflation which has reduced Nigerians’ purchasing power and increased the cost of living.
The foreign exchange crisis, has equally devalued the naira, as FX hit N956.33/$1 on Thursday, this has continued to affect Nigeria’s consumption trend.
With all this issues on ground, some persons might be lured into patronising Black Friday sales, because of the discounted price.