According to TechRadar, NordVPN has reported a massive 250% surge in fake online shops in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. The company’s Threat Protection Pro feature blocked over 4.5 million malicious domains between March and October 2025, with more than 120,000 sites impersonating Amazon alone in just two months. Investment fraud losses have already topped $5.7 billion in 2024, and scammers are using AI to create deeply convincing fake storefronts that disappear within hours. NordVPN’s CTO Marijus Briedis warns that criminals are evolving at an unprecedented pace, creating a perfect storm for shoppers during the biggest sales weekend of the year.
The AI scam revolution is here
Here’s the thing that really worries me about this trend – we’re not talking about the obviously fake websites with broken English and pixelated logos anymore. The scammers have leveled up dramatically. According to NordVPN’s CTO, they’re using AI to generate persuasive copy, deep-fake voice calls, and even fully functional storefront templates. Basically, they can clone the look and feel of major retailers almost perfectly now, complete with those “up to 70% off” banners that make your heart skip a beat.
And the scale is just staggering. Over 120,000 Amazon impersonation sites in two months? That’s industrial-level fraud operations. These aren’t kids in basements – this is organized crime treating fake e-commerce like a legitimate business. The sites disappear within hours of the sale, making it nearly impossible for authorities to track anyone down. You click on what looks like a great deal, enter your credit card, and poof – both the site and your money are gone.
The protection reality check
NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro sounds impressive – it blocked 90% of phishing URLs in testing and earned certified Fake Shop Protection status. It works through real-time domain filtering that automatically blocks connections to newly-identified scam sites. But here’s the catch: you need to upgrade to their top-tier plans to get access to it.
Now, the basic advice still applies: check for HTTPS certificates, verify retailer URLs carefully, and avoid offers that seem too good to be true. But honestly, how many people actually do that when they see a 70% discount on something they’ve been wanting? The sense of urgency during Black Friday creates perfect conditions for scammers. You’re worried the deal will disappear, so you click faster than you think.
The bigger picture nobody’s talking about
What really jumps out at me from the FTC data is that investment fraud losses hit $5.7 billion this year alone. That’s not just people losing money on fake products – that’s sophisticated schemes where fake shops are just the entry point. Scammers harvest your data, then pivot to convincing you to invest in bogus opportunities.
So while everyone’s focused on fake product listings, the real damage might be happening days or weeks later through follow-up scams. The initial fake shop is just the bait to get your contact information and payment details. Then the real manipulation begins.
The timing of this Euronews report is perfect though – right before the shopping frenzy begins. Maybe it will make people think twice before clicking on that unbelievable deal. Or maybe the discounts will be too tempting. Either way, the scammers are definitely ready.
