Cyber Fraud
Internet & Online Scams
If your loss does not fit neatly into a single named scam type, this is the route in. Our team handles every form of online fraud, including fake websites, social media impersonation, malware-driven theft, account takeovers, and more.
The Mechanics
How online scammers bypass your defenses
Online fraud relies on exploiting the speed and anonymity of the internet. Understanding the exact mechanics of the theft is critical to building a legal case for recovery.
The Lure
Victims are directed to highly convincing fake websites or social media ads offering desirable goods or services at unbeatable prices.
The Diversion
Sellers pressure buyers to move the conversation off-platform to WhatsApp or email, bypassing marketplace buyer protections.
The Harvest
Payments are requested via direct bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, leaving no avenue for traditional chargebacks.
The Ghost
Once the funds clear, the seller vanishes, the website goes offline, and the victim is left with no goods and no recourse.
Scam Variants
Common types of internet fraud
While the underlying goal is always financial theft, scammers adapt their digital storefronts to target different platforms and buyer habits.
Fake Retail Websites
Clone websites mimicking legitimate brands, offering massive discounts to harvest card details or direct bank transfers.
Social Media Storefronts
Fake boutiques on Instagram or TikTok selling counterfeit luxury goods or taking payments for items they never intend to ship.
Malware & Tech Support
Fraudsters posing as IT support convincing victims to install remote access software, allowing them to drain bank accounts.
Account Takeovers
Criminals gaining access to existing shopping or crypto accounts via credential stuffing, draining stored payment methods.
Our Approach
Our Recovery Process
Document
We preserve the website, communications, and payment evidence quickly, as fraud sites disappear fast.
Trace
We follow the funds through banks, payment processors, or crypto channels to identify the recipients.
Pursue
We file all relevant complaints, chargebacks, and regulatory reports to pursue intermediaries.
Recover
We negotiate settlements or pursue judgments to return your funds from liable third parties.
Legal Authority
We leverage UK financial regulations
Even when the seller is anonymous, the banking system's safeguards and regulatory frameworks remain your strongest tool for recovery. We hold institutions accountable.
Chargebacks & Section 75
For card payments, we file formal chargeback requests or invoke Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act to hold your card issuer jointly liable for goods not being delivered.
PSR Mandatory Reimbursement
Under the new Payment Systems Regulator mandate, banks must reimburse victims of authorised push payment fraud, including online purchase scams, up to £85,000 per claim.
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
If your bank unfairly rejects your claim, we escalate the dispute to the FOS, which has the statutory power to force the bank to reimburse you.
How Online Scams Operate
Fraudsters list desirable items at attractive prices on social media or clone websites. After payment by bank transfer, the seller disappears. Variants include sending an empty or counterfeit item, sending a worthless tracking number, or running long-running marketplace stores that take many small orders before vanishing.
Routes To Recovery
Card payments are usually recoverable through chargeback. Bank transfers are now covered by PSR mandatory reimbursement up to £85,000 per claim. Where the receiving bank failed to act on red flags, additional liability arises. We handle the full claim process for you.
£8,500 Recovered from Fake Social Media Boutique
Our client purchased luxury furniture from an Instagram seller after being directed to pay via direct bank transfer. The item never arrived, and the seller blocked them. We gathered the chat logs and bank transfer receipts, then filed a PSR claim against the receiving bank. Because the bank failed to flag the account as high-risk for fraud and ignored Confirmation of Payee mismatches, the Ombudsman forced a full reimbursement.
Paid for goods that never arrived?
Speak with our specialists today for a free, confidential consultation.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. PSR mandatory reimbursement covers most blameless purchase scam victims since October 2024, provided you did not act with gross negligence.
Yes. We handle low-value claims efficiently through our streamlined regulatory complaint process, ensuring you are not out of pocket for smaller frauds.
Do not engage further. Preserve the messages and contact us. The bank claim does not depend on the seller's cooperation, and further engagement can sometimes compromise the evidence.
Take Action Today
Affected by an online scam?
Our team of expert fraud lawyers can help you recover your lost funds and hold the banks accountable.