Reimbursement fraud, which generally explodes during the end-of-year holiday period, is increasingly threatening major online brands. Thanks to this scam, thugs succeed in extracting thousands of euros every week by exploiting a loophole among the giants of the sector. But what does this practice consist of?
The refund scam
Like every year, shortly before the end of year holidays, the “refund” scam resurfaces. This is a fraudulent practice that occurs all over the world. An illegal approach that many fraudsters operate. And these are attacking monuments of online commerce and big brands.
As explained to us CNEWS, the concept is simple and is done in five steps. Perpetrators of this type of scam first purchase products on the Internet (like Amazon, for example). Then, they receive their package and then declare that they did not receive it. The goal? Get reimbursed, then finally keep or resell the merchandise for more profitability.
A resurgence of the “refund” scam that The Telegram qualifies as « quasi-industrial ».
For this type of scam, two types of fraudsters are rampant:
– The occasional fraudster. It acts sporadically on commercial sites and its impact remains minimal for the e-retailer
To read
This scam is causing carnage, even the police are being trapped: don't be fooled
– The Sunday Fraudster : He makes ends meet by regularly carrying out return fraud. The latter often uses the services of a “refunder”.
According to an investigation with video testimonies from our colleagues at BFM Tech&Cofraudsters, or “refunders” could record profits ranging from 500 to 2,000 euros per week.
This scam is a practice that has existed for several years and which is spreading on social networks like TikTok or Telegram. In the majority of cases, it concerns young people. And, according to Johanne Ulloa, expert in digital identity and fraud, this scam is even in the process of being “professionalized”.
2000 euros per week for this 19 year old young man
This Scam, Tom, 19 years old, knows it by heart. The young man, who wished to remain anonymous, has, in fact, been “refunding” for over a year now.
“I heard about the refund on TikTok. And, at the beginning, I mainly did that on Zalando because that’s where it worked best »he explains to BFM Tech&Co.
“In my case, I especially wanted to be reimbursed for my orders. I would say that I saved around 500 euros »then specifies the young man.
But some, like Théo (first name changed), go even further. Indeed, they do not hesitate to resell the products that they have received a refund for. Again, completely illegally.
To read
The Ministry of the Interior warns of this sneaky scam which is exploding in France
The young man admitted to being attracted to “the fairly substantial sums of money that this can bring in”. He therefore embarked on the “refund”.
“Now I refund my orders on several sites and platforms like Apple, Nike, Amazon. And much more »he explains to BFM Tech&Co. “This activity brings me around 2,000 euros per week,” then estimates the young man.
What are the penalties for the perpetrators of this scam?
Of course, some people manage to slip through the cracks. On the other hand, others do not escape justice. Indeed, some perpetrators of this scam, often minors, owe several tens of thousands of euros to the State and/or the platforms.
The Penal Code provides sanctions for people guilty of this scam. Breach of trust (article 314.1 of the Penal Code) or a scam (article 313.1 of the Penal Code) is punishable by 5 years of imprisonment with a fine of 375,000 euros.
