Fake Online Stores in Serbia
Fraudulent Serbian-language e-commerce websites and Facebook shops collect payment for electronics and clothing without delivering anything.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Serbia's rapidly growing online retail market has been accompanied by a proliferation of fake online stores — both websites and Facebook pages — that take payment and never deliver goods. These operations exploit growing consumer confidence in online shopping and activate particularly during sale seasons.
Fake stores are most active around Black Friday, New Year sales, and the summer period, when impulse purchasing and bargain-seeking behaviour reduces critical evaluation of unfamiliar sellers.
How this scam works on Serbia
A Facebook advertisement or Instagram post promotes discounted electronics or branded goods from a Serbian-language store. The site looks professional but is recently registered. Payment is requested by direct bank transfer to a private account.
After payment, goods do not arrive. Customer service initially offers excuses before going silent. The Facebook page is deleted and a similar page reappears under a new name to repeat the pattern.
Common red flags
- Prices are substantially below official brand or established retailer prices.
- Payment by direct bank transfer to a private account is required.
- The store's Facebook page was recently created or has very few historical posts.
- No company registration number, physical address, or verifiable contact is provided.
How to protect yourself
- Verify stores on the Serbian Business Registry Agency (APR) portal at apr.gov.rs.
- Prefer established Serbian e-commerce platforms with buyer protection.
- Pay by card rather than bank transfer to retain chargeback rights.
- Contact your bank immediately if goods do not arrive.
How to report it
- Report to the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the consumer protection authority.
- Report the Facebook or Instagram page to those platforms.
- Contact your bank for a potential chargeback on card payments.
Frequently asked questions
Fake stores seem most active during Black Friday — should I just avoid online shopping then?
You don't need to avoid it entirely — just apply extra scrutiny during peak sale periods, since fraudulent stores time their activity to exploit reduced caution during bargain-hunting season. Stick to established retailers and pay by card during these windows.
The seller offered a discount for paying by bank transfer instead of card — is that a fair trade-off?
No — the 'discount' is often designed specifically to move you away from card payment, the method that gives you the strongest recourse if goods never arrive. The value of retained chargeback protection almost always outweighs a modest discount from an unverified seller.
How long should I wait before assuming a Serbian online order isn't coming?
If a seller repeatedly delays with vague excuses beyond their originally stated delivery window, treat that as a strong signal to stop waiting and contact your bank about a chargeback rather than continuing to wait indefinitely.
How do I check if an online store is registered in Serbia?
Search the company name on the Serbian Business Registry Agency (APR) portal at apr.gov.rs. Legitimate Serbian online retailers should appear there.