Bitdefender Labs recently spotted a series of suspicious shopping ads on Snapchat promoting newly registered websites offering massive discounts on products ranging from shoes and handbags to electric bikes and bonsai trees.
If you've ever stopped scrolling because an ad promised 80% off or a deal that looked too good to pass up, this research is worth a read.
Read the full research here.
What we discovered
Our researchers found several ads promoting online stores that displayed characteristics commonly associated with fraudulent shopping sites, including:
- Recently registered domains.
- Discounts of up to 80%.
- Websites redirecting users to other shopping domains.
- Generic online stores with little or no reputation.
- Ads that were later removed from the platform.
Some examples included an electric bike advertised for around €50, luxury-looking products at heavily discounted prices, and "limited stock" or "today only" offers designed to create urgency.
Why it matters
This isn't just a Snapchat problem.
Bitdefender has observed similar tactics across Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, and X. As social media advertising grows, scammers continue to abuse trusted platforms to put fake stores in front of potential buyers.
Before you buy
If an offer looks unusually good:
- Check how old the website is.
- Look for independent reviews.
- Compare prices with reputable retailers.
- Be skeptical of huge discounts and countdown timers.
You can also use Bitdefender Scamio to check suspicious shopping offers and Bitdefender Link Checker to verify links before visiting them.
We'd love to hear from you
Have you seen fake shopping ads on Snapchat or other social media platforms recently?
What was the biggest red flag that made you stop before clicking?
