Go to whole of WA Government search

Fake barbecue product websites

WA ScamNet is warning consumers to be careful about which online retailers they use after at least two cases where people ordered barbecue equipment that never arrived.

The recent losses involved scam websites which have since been shut down but consumers should be aware the scam could continue using other website addresses.

The addresses we have recorded are:

The websites claim to sell heavily discounted barbecues and accessories, often with further reductions offered if payment is made by bank transfer. Payment is taken but no goods arrive and email are usually unanswered or bounce back.

Tips to avoid fake websites

  • Watch out for sites asking for payment methods such as direct bank transfers or wire transfers.
  • Use the internet to search for reviews before buying from a website. This will often reveal consumer blog threads or warnings exposing scam sites.
  • Protect yourself by using known reputable sites and paying by a secure system (padlocked) with a credit card or Paypal, so you have an opportunity to seek a chargeback if you don’t get what you paid for.
  • Be wary of ‘great deals’ served to you via an internet search or pop-ups. Scammers hope to catch you out when you impulse buy on the promise of a super bargain.
  • Be suspicious of unfamiliar sites, particularly those that haven’t been online for long (look for a copyright date on the website, although this can also be fake).
  • Consider the risks if there is no physical address, phone contact details or a legitimate ABN listed on the website.
  • Be aware that scammers create copycat sites of real online businesses. Pixelated photos and unofficial email addresses can be a sign of this.

Related Scams

  • Gym and fitness equipment
    Gym and fitness equipment

    Watch out for fake gym and fitness websites, classified adverts, and social media pages operated by scammers.

    Read More...
  • Fake shipping container websites
    Fake shipping container websites

    WA ScamNet has received a number of reports about fake websites claiming to sell discounted shipping containers that are never delivered after payment is made.

    Read More...
  • Pet scams: Cute pics but no pet received
    Pet scams: Cute pics but no pet received

    Beware of fake websites and social media accounts that claimed to puppies, leaving buyers out of pocket and without a dog.

    Read More...
  • Fake farming machinery websites
    Fake farming machinery websites

    WA ScamNet has received reports about two websites claiming to sell discounted second-hand farming machinery with products paid for but not delivered.

    Read More...
  • Fake mobile phone online stores
    Fake mobile phone online stores

    WA ScamNet is warning consumers about fake online stores on Facebook featuring the latest mobile phones for sale at heavily discounted prices. 

    Read More...
  • Beware fake Shopify sites
    Beware fake Shopify sites

    Online shoppers need to be wary of fraudulent store pages operating on Shopify that advertise non-existent goods and falsely promise to donate proceeds to bushfire relief charities and animal rescue groups.

    Read More...
  • Fake online footwear site shut down by WA ScamNet
    Fake online footwear site shut down by WA ScamNet

     

    Read More...
  • Fake caravan websites
    Fake caravan websites

    Warning from WA ScamNet about a fake website selling cheap second-hand caravans.

    Read More...
  • Royal Online Bullies and Australian Breeder puppy scam
    Royal Online Bullies and Australian Breeder puppy scam

    Consumers are warned not to engage with Royal Bufllies Online a fake puppy website.

    Read More...
  • Caredez Farm puppy scam
    Caredez Farm puppy scam

    Beware of fake French Bulldog website Caredez Farm

    Read More...
  • Greenland Guard Dogs Scam
    Greenland Guard Dogs Scam

    WA ScamNet has shut down a fake website and social media account that claimed to sell German Shepherd and Rottweiler puppies, but left buyers out of pocket and without a dog. 

    Read More...
  • French Bull Rehoming Scam
    French Bull Rehoming Scam

    6 December 2019

    Fraudulent ‘French Bull Rehoming’ website which claims to re-home French and British bulldog puppies.

    Read More...
  • Fake websites won’t deliver
    Fake websites won’t deliver

    Western Australians in search of the bargain of the century could be scammed by fake websites that cleverly copy legitimate enterprises. Consumers need to be wary of ‘great deals’ offered via internet searches or pop-ups as scammers hope to catch victims out when impulse buying on the promise of a super bargain.

    Read More...
  • Buyer beware fake websites
    Buyer beware fake websites

    How do you spot a fake website? The reality is they can look really professional and may have copied official logos, high quality images and even stolen an ABN from a real business. One sign of a fake site can be a recent copyright date but scammers may also put an older copyright date to fool you.

    Read More...
  • Online free trial offers
    Online free trial offers

    Whether it’s a sponsored post in your social media feed or a pop up advertisement while you’re browsing the web, offers of ‘free trials’ or ‘samples’ are a common sight for internet users. WA ScamNet warns online consumers to be aware of the fine print when accepting a so called free trial.

    Read More...
  • vipsupportmail linked to several scam sites
    vipsupportmail linked to several scam sites

    Online shoppers should be on the lookout for the email address service@vipsupportmail.com, which has been linked to several scam websites.

    Read More...
  • Fake Outboard Motor Websites
    Fake Outboard Motor Websites

    WA ScamNet has received reports about a number of fake websites selling cheap outboard motors.

    Read More...
  • Fake holiday accommodation websites
    Fake holiday accommodation websites

    WA ScamNet have received five separate reports from consumers who lost money after receiving a call from a company offering cheap holiday accommodation.

    Read More...
  • Fake power tools websites
    Fake power tools websites

    Two fake websites selling power tools were recently reported to WA ScamNet. The websites claim to sell discounted power tools with items ordered but not delivered.

    Read More...
  • Fake aquariums and accessories website
    Fake aquariums and accessories website

    WA ScamNet has received a report about a fake wesite, aquarium center, claiming to sell heavily discounted aquariums and accessories with further reductions offered for payment by bank transfer. Goods were ordered but not received.

    Read More...
  • Bogus boating website
    Bogus boating website

    We have had reports about the website www.marinebazaar.com.au, which is bogus even though it appears legitimate at first glance.

    Read More...
  • Great Backyard
    Great Backyard

    Don't dig yourself into a hole with this fake garden supplier. 

    Read More...
  • Husky and Pomsky puppy scam
    Husky and Pomsky puppy scam

    This puppy scam hits victims twice!  It advertises for husky or pomsky puppies but then also hits up the buyers for additional fees for insurances, vaccines and shipping.

    Read More...
  • Fake massage chair and scooter websites
    Fake massage chair and scooter websites

    WA ScamNet has received a number of reports from consumers who have tried to purchase massage chairs, mobility scooters and children’s scooters from various websites, and never received the products.

    Read More...
  • Fake bulldog puppy website
    Fake bulldog puppy website

    Pet-buyers are being warned about online puppy scams - French and English bulldogs puppies being the latest. 

    Read More...
  • Facebook puppy scams
    Facebook puppy scams

    Pet-buyers are being warned about Facebook page scams - Labradoodle Puppies For Sale being the latest. 

    Read More...
  • Fake Outdoor Equipment
    Fake Outdoor Equipment

    Do NOT buy anything online from GardenOutdoorSales.com.au, the website is a front to steal money.

    Read More...
  • Cavoodle puppy scam
    Cavoodle puppy scam

    Consumers have paid for a puppy either via a website or by responding to an online classifieds advertisement only to find out the whole thing’s a fraud.

    Read More...
  • Stolen Credit Card
    Stolen Credit Card

    Scammers are targeting retailers using stolen credit cards.

    Read More...
  • Overstockdeals.com.au
    Overstockdeals.com.au

    Fridge deal leaves consumers out in the cold - warning about bogus shopping site overstockdeals.com.au

    Read More...
  • Onsalemarketdeals and directonlinedeals websites
    Onsalemarketdeals and directonlinedeals websites

    Do not place orders with the website directonlinedeals.com.au or onsalemarketdeals.com as WA ScamNet investigates if the website is fraudulent.

    Read More...
  • Puppy scammers bite
    Puppy scammers bite

    WA ScamNet has received three reports of monetary loss to puppy sale scams recently. One victim via email, one via facebook, and another via gumtree.

    Read More...
  • Fake shopping websites
    Fake shopping websites

    Consumer Protection has issued an alert about eight bogus shopping websites, now closed, which had stolen the identity of legitimate businesses and conned money out of WA consumers.

    Read More...
  • Kitten and puppy scams
    Kitten and puppy scams

    Don’t let kitten scammers get their claws into your money. It’s a new version of the age-old puppy scam. Scammers advertise a puppy or kitten for sale in the classifieds either in newspapers or online, usually providing an email address as a contact point. The animal being advertised is often a popular breed and the asking price is lower than the market value. The seller requests that payment for a crate and shipping of the kitten or puppy be sent by wire transfer. Sadly the animal never arrives and Consumer Protection has received reports of monetary loss from many heartbroken would-be pet owners.

    Read More...
  • Online auction and shopping scams
    Online auction and shopping scams

     It is possible to buy almost anything over the internet these days. Unfortunately, scammers can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off unsuspecting shoppers. Scammers can pretend to be selling a product—often very cheaply—just so they can steal your credit card or bank account details. Similarly, they may take your money but send you a faulty or worthless product instead—or even nothing at all.

    Read More...
  • eBay invoice scam
    eBay invoice scam

    An eBay invoice arrives in your inbox for a brand new Guess handbag or other personal product that you never ordered. Confused? You need not be because this is a fake email.

    Read More...