Fake Online Stores in Mongolia
Fraudulent Mongolian e-commerce pages and social-media shops take payment for goods — especially electronics and imported items — and never deliver.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
As online shopping has expanded in Mongolia, so has the number of fake online stores targeting Mongolian consumers. These range from copycat websites imitating well-known retailers to Facebook and Instagram shop pages that advertise imported electronics, branded clothing, and household goods at significant discounts.
The scams are particularly effective in Mongolia because legitimate cross-border e-commerce involves genuine customs delays and complex delivery logistics, making it easier for fraudulent stores to explain non-delivery with plausible-sounding excuses before eventually going silent.
How this scam works on Mongolia
A Facebook advertisement or post promotes heavily discounted electronics, branded goods, or imported items. The 'store' has a polished page with multiple product photos and positive-looking comments. Payment is requested by bank transfer, mobile payment, or cash on a pickup that never happens.
After payment, the store cites customs delays, warehouse problems, or driver issues. Communications then go silent, the Facebook page is deleted, and a new page appears under a slightly different name repeating the same pattern.
Some operations are more persistent, offering partial refunds or replacements to keep victims engaged longer while continuing to recruit new buyers.
Common red flags
- Prices are dramatically below those on established Mongolian retailers or official brand stores.
- The store's Facebook page is newly created or has very few historical posts.
- Payment is by bank transfer, mobile wallet, or cash pickup rather than through a secure checkout.
- Comments on the page appear generic, repetitive, or are from accounts with no activity.
- No physical address, business registration number, or verifiable contact details are provided.
- Urgency messaging pushes you to buy before the 'limited sale' ends.
How to protect yourself
- Research the store name and reviews before purchasing from an unfamiliar page.
- Use established Mongolian e-commerce platforms with buyer-protection policies.
- Prefer card payment over bank transfer for any online purchase — it provides chargeback options.
- Verify a business registration number through Mongolia's business registry before sending significant sums.
- Do not pay for goods in advance based solely on a social media page.
How to report it
- Report fraudulent Facebook or Instagram pages directly to those platforms.
- File a complaint with the Mongolian National Centre for Consumer Protection.
- Contact your bank immediately if payment was made and no goods have arrived.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy from Facebook shop pages in Mongolia?
Established sellers with long trading histories and verifiable contact details can be legitimate, but always research before paying. Prefer platforms with escrow or buyer protection over direct bank transfers to unknown sellers.