Fake Online Store Scams in Morocco
Fraudulent e-commerce platforms selling Moroccan handicrafts, argan products, and fashion to international buyers who receive nothing.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Morocco's reputation for high-quality artisan products — argan oil, leather goods, carpets, and ceramics — has been exploited by fake online stores that collect payment from international buyers and either never dispatch the order or send cheap counterfeits.
These stores target buyers in France, Spain, Germany, and the UK who search online for authentic Moroccan products, using professionally designed Shopify-based websites and copied Instagram content to appear legitimate.
How this scam works on Morocco
A buyer finds a Moroccan artisan goods website through a social media ad or Google search, offering apparently authentic argan skincare, handwoven carpets, or leather bags at reasonable prices. The website has reviews, product photos, and a functional checkout. After payment, either nothing arrives or a cheap substitute appears weeks later.
Instagram-based shops post compelling photos of Moroccan products and invite DM orders, collecting payment via bank transfer or PayPal before blocking the customer.
Diaspora-targeted shops sell supposedly authentic Moroccan food products or Eid gifts, collecting orders from communities in Europe and dispatching nothing.
Common red flags
- Store requests payment by bank transfer rather than credit card or PayPal Goods and Services
- Website was registered recently with a generic domain not matching the brand name
- Products are priced significantly below comparable authentic Moroccan goods
- No physical address, Moroccan business registration, or verifiable contact beyond email
- Product photos reverse-image-search to other stores or unrelated sources
- Tracking number provided leads to a fake or inactive shipping link
How to protect yourself
- Pay by credit card or PayPal Goods and Services for buyer protection
- Verify Moroccan businesses on the Morocco Registry of Commerce (Registre de Commerce)
- Search the store name plus scam or avis before purchasing
- For significant purchases, confirm the store's physical address independently
- Use established e-commerce platforms with buyer protection for Moroccan artisan goods
- Be especially cautious of stores that accept only bank transfer
How to report it
- Initiate a chargeback with your bank or PayPal if goods are not received
- Report to DGSN cybercrime for fraud investigation
- Alert the relevant social media platform to remove the fraudulent store page
Frequently asked questions
The Instagram shop has lots of likes and comments — doesn't that prove people have received their orders?
Not reliably — likes and comments can be bought, faked, or left before an order actually ships, and don't confirm products were delivered as promised. Look for detailed reviews on independent platforms and be cautious of shops that only accept DM orders paid by bank transfer.
I paid by bank transfer for argan oil products that never arrived — is there anything I can do?
Recovery is harder with bank transfers than with cards, but contact your bank immediately to ask about a recall, and report the store to DGSN cybercrime and the social media platform it operated on. For future purchases, use a credit card or PayPal Goods and Services to preserve chargeback options.
How can I find a genuine Moroccan artisan supplier?
Look for sellers with verifiable reviews on established platforms like Etsy or Airbnb Experiences, Moroccan government-certified cooperatives, or sellers directly connected to recognised Moroccan cooperatives (the ODCO cooperative body lists registered cooperatives). Video calls showing the workspace and in-process products are also a good authenticity signal.