Three accused of online scam

Mohamed G. and two accomplices appeared before the Nanterre (92) court on October 19 and 20, facing charges of creating at least five fake merchant websites over a three-year period, during which no items were ever delivered.

Scam affected thousands of victims

The scam is reported to have affected more than 20,000 victims, with total damages estimated at approximately 5 million euros. Victims such as Kadija, Patrick, and Xavier described similar experiences, where they ordered products from sites like Stockwan.com and Casaconfo.com, only to receive no goods.

How the scam was executed

Mohamed G., who is currently incarcerated since June 2024, described in court how he created the fraudulent sites by acquiring abandoned domain names and impersonating defunct companies using information from Pappers.fr. He used the Shopify platform to build the sites, ensuring they appeared legitimate with detailed product listings, legal notices, and even fake photos of a non-existent team.

Methods to boost credibility

To increase visibility, Mohamed G. invested in Google advertising campaigns and generated fake reviews on Trustpilot, sometimes using simulated purchases to bypass verification systems. He also created a fake customer service accessible by email and phone, responding to negative comments from victims to prolong the lifespan of each site.

Financial gains and detection

Mohamed G. admitted in court that he continued the scam after seeing the financial benefits, with some months generating over 100,000 euros, which he then laundered through cryptocurrency purchases. The scam reportedly lasted from 2021 to 2024 until complaints filed by victims on Thésée, an official platform for reporting online scams, alerted authorities.

Arrest and legal requests

The three individuals were later arrested in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, where they had rented an apartment. During the trial, prosecutors requested 8 years in prison and a fine of 70,000 euros for Mohamed G., and 4 years, one of which with a conditional release, and fines of 25,000 euros for each of his accomplices.

Consumer group seeks compensation

Que Choisir Ensemble requested 100,000 euros in damages and interest on behalf of the collective interest of consumers and the publication of a judicial statement in several media. The verdict is expected to be announced on November 19.