Fake Online Stores in Chile
Fraudulent e-commerce sites impersonate popular Chilean retailers or offer deep discounts, collecting payment then delivering nothing or counterfeit goods.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake online stores are a pervasive problem in Chile, particularly around national shopping events like CyberDay and the Fiestas Patrias sales period in September. Scammers set up convincing lookalike sites imitating major Chilean retailers such as Falabella, Ripley, and Paris, or create entirely fictitious stores promoted via Instagram and Facebook ads.
Victims pay via Webpay or Mercado Pago — familiar Chilean payment rails that lend false legitimacy — but either receive nothing, counterfeit products, or items vastly different from what was advertised. Once funds are transferred, the store disappears or ignores all contact.
How this scam works on Chile
Fraudulent stores are promoted through paid social-media ads targeting Chilean users with deals of 60–90% off electronics, clothing, or appliances. The website mimics a real retailer's design, complete with RUT numbers copied from the legitimate business. Checkout is completed via Webpay or a direct bank transfer link.
After payment, the victim receives an automated email confirmation with a fake tracking number. When the parcel never arrives, customer support emails bounce or go unanswered. In some cases, a low-quality counterfeit version of the product is sent from China to delay the chargeback window.
Social media ads for fake stores often use testimonial videos that appear Chilean but are recycled from scam operations targeting other Spanish-speaking countries.
Common red flags
- Price is dramatically lower than the official retailer site or comparable platforms like MercadoLibre
- Domain name is slightly different from the genuine retailer (e.g. extra hyphens or .net instead of .cl)
- No physical store address or only a P.O. box listed
- Webpay or bank transfer are the only payment options — no card-based chargeback protection
- Website was created recently (within months) — verify with whois
- No working phone number and only a WhatsApp contact for customer support
How to protect yourself
- Buy from verified .cl domains bookmarked directly — never follow ads to retail sites
- Prefer paying by credit card through MercadoLibre or the retailer's official checkout for chargeback rights
- Check the SII registry at sii.cl to confirm the store's RUT exists and matches the business name
- Search the store name plus 'estafa' or 'scam' on Google before purchasing
- Keep transaction receipts and screenshots of the product listing
- Report suspicious ads to Meta or Google before purchasing to protect other shoppers
How to report it
- File a complaint with SERNAC (sernac.cl) for consumer protection violations
- Report to the PDI BRICIB if the store collected payment fraudulently
- Contact your bank immediately for a chargeback if payment was made by card
Frequently asked questions
Does Webpay offer buyer protection like a credit card?
Webpay itself does not provide buyer protection equivalent to a credit card chargeback. However, if you paid via a credit card through Webpay, your card issuer may still process a dispute. Contact your bank as soon as possible.