Fake Online Stores in Bulgaria
Fraudulent Bulgarian-language e-commerce sites collect leva via bank transfer or nalichni (cash on delivery) then deliver nothing or counterfeit goods.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
E-commerce fraud in Bulgaria exploits the popularity of cash-on-delivery (nalichni pri dostavka) and bank transfer payments — neither of which offers chargeback protection. Fake stores impersonate Bulgarian retail brands or create entirely new stores, promoted via Facebook and Google Ads, offering popular products at steep discounts.
The Commission for Consumer Protection (KZP) handles consumer complaints about online store fraud, and Bulgaria participates in the EU cross-border consumer protection network, allowing disputes against stores based elsewhere in the EU to be escalated.
How this scam works on Bulgaria
Facebook ads target Bulgarian users with deep discounts on electronics, sports goods, or baby products, directing them to a professional .bg website with Bulgarian-language content and a local phone number. Payment options include bank transfer to a Bulgarian IBAN or cash on delivery.
For cash-on-delivery scams, victims pay the courier upon receipt — only to open the package and find a low-quality substitute or an entirely unrelated item. For bank-transfer orders, the parcel never arrives. Returns and refunds are refused or ignored.
Some operators run the same scam site repeatedly under different names, rotating between .bg and .com domains as complaints accumulate.
Common red flags
- Price dramatically below standard Bulgarian retail or Amazon.de prices
- Site created recently — check the .bg domain age at register.bg
- Only cash on delivery or bank transfer accepted — no card payment
- Customer service is only a mobile number and no physical store address
- Bulgarian-language text appears machine-translated
- Facebook page created recently with purchased follower counts
How to protect yourself
- Buy from established Bulgarian retailers (Technopolis, eMAG) or use eMAG's buyer protection
- Pay by card where possible for chargeback rights
- Verify the business in Bulgaria's Commercial Register at brra.bg
- Search the store name plus 'измама' (fraud) on Bulgarian social media before purchasing
- For cash on delivery, insist on opening and inspecting the parcel before paying
- Photograph the sealed parcel before opening in case a dispute arises
How to report it
- File a complaint with the Commission for Consumer Protection (KZP) at kzp.bg
- Report to GDBOP at cybercrime.bg for online fraud
- Contact your bank for a recall if payment was made by bank transfer
Frequently asked questions
Does Bulgarian consumer protection cover cross-border purchases?
Yes. Through the EU's network of European Consumer Centres (ECC-Net), Bulgarian consumers can seek mediation for disputes with traders based in other EU countries. The Bulgarian ECC is reachable through kzp.bg.