Fake Online Stores in Brazil
Fraudulent e-commerce sites that mimic legitimate Brazilian retailers, collect payment via boleto or PIX, and never deliver the ordered goods.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake online stores are one of the most common forms of consumer fraud in Brazil. These sites clone the appearance of well-known retailers such as Americanas, Casas Bahia, or Magazine Luiza, advertise goods at steep discounts, and collect payment via boleto bancário, PIX, or card — then ship nothing.
The problem intensifies during high-shopping periods: Black Friday Brasil, Christmas, and Dia das Mães. Fraudulent sites multiply around these dates and are promoted through paid social media ads that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate promotions.
How this scam works on Brazil
A social media ad or sponsored search result leads to a site that looks almost identical to a major Brazilian retailer. Prices are noticeably below market to attract bargain-seekers. The checkout process collects payment information; some sites charge the card immediately while others generate a boleto. After payment, the victim receives either nothing or a cheap counterfeit item.
A newer variant creates entirely fictitious store brands with polished websites, positive reviews (entirely fabricated), and even CNPJ numbers that turn out to be for unrelated businesses when checked. These stores promote heavily on Instagram with influencer-style content and disappear after a few weeks.
Victims have difficulty disputing boleto or PIX payments since neither mechanism offers the same chargeback protections as credit cards.
Common red flags
- Prices are dramatically lower than those on any legitimate Brazilian retailer
- Domain name closely resembles a known brand but contains extra words, hyphens, or different TLDs
- Only accepts boleto or PIX — no credit card option
- CNPJ on the site cannot be verified or belongs to an unrelated business
- No physical address or only a PO box listed
- Customer reviews are uniformly positive and appear generic or AI-generated
- No clear return policy or customer service phone number
How to protect yourself
- Check the store's CNPJ on the Receita Federal registry to confirm it is a real registered business
- Search the store name plus 'reclamação' or 'golpe' on Google before buying
- Prefer credit card over PIX or boleto for online purchases — credit cards offer chargeback rights
- Buy from retailers listed on the Procon-SP vetted marketplace or well-known platforms like Mercado Livre
- Verify the URL exactly before entering any payment information
How to report it
- File a complaint with Procon in your state or at consumidor.gov.br
- Report fraudulent sites to SaferNet at denunciar.org.br
- Notify your bank or card issuer immediately to attempt a chargeback for card transactions
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my PIX payment back if the store was fraudulent?
PIX refunds are not automatic. Contact your bank's fraud department immediately after discovering the fraud — the MED (Mecanismo Especial de Devolução) allows banks to request a return of funds from the receiving account within 7 days, though success depends on whether funds are still present.