- online shopping scams
- consumer protection
- cybersecurity awareness
Learn how clone website scams targeting Australian retailers like Aldi cost consumers millions. Discover warning signs, prevention tips, and what to do if you're scammed online.
The Rise of Clone Website Scams in Australia
Clone website scams have emerged as one of the most sophisticated forms of online fraud targeting Australian consumers. Unlike traditional fake websites that create entirely fictitious brands, clone sites meticulously replicate the appearance and branding of legitimate retailers to deceive unsuspecting shoppers. The National Anti-Scam Centre describes these fraudulent platforms as distinct threats that closely mimic established brands, making them particularly dangerous for consumers who believe they are purchasing from trusted retailers.
Recent data from the National Anti-Scam Centre reveals that Australians have reported financial losses exceeding $39.8 million from online shopping scams since 2020. In the first half of 2025 alone, Scamwatch received more than 6,300 reports of financial losses to shopping scams, representing the highest number of reports among all scam categories. These figures highlight the urgent need for consumer awareness and protection measures.
A Real-World Example: The Aldi Tumble Dryer Scam
The experience of Jasmine, a 31-year-old Sydney resident, illustrates how easily consumers can fall victim to clone website scams. When searching for a tumble dryer online, Jasmine discovered what appeared to be an exceptional deal on an Aldi-branded appliance for $140. The website's professional appearance and convincing branding led her to believe she was making a legitimate purchase from the well-known retailer.
Despite her usual caution regarding online scams, Jasmine was deceived by the site's authentic appearance. She even consulted a colleague before making the purchase, who confirmed that the website appeared legitimate. After completing the transaction using Apple Pay to avoid sharing banking details, Jasmine was instructed to download a tracking application. However, four days later, the website had vanished, leaving her without her purchase or recourse for recovery.
How Clone Websites Operate
Clone websites employ sophisticated techniques to replicate legitimate retailer websites, including copying official logos, product images, and website layouts. These fraudulent sites often appear in search engine results, particularly in sponsored advertisements, making them appear credible to consumers conducting routine online searches. The scammers behind these operations invest considerable effort in creating convincing replicas that can fool even cautious consumers.
The prevalence of these scams was demonstrated when recent investigations revealed that half of the sponsored tumble dryer advertisements appearing at the top of Google search results were linked to fraudulent websites. This discovery prompted immediate action from search engine platforms to remove the deceptive advertisements and take measures against the associated advertiser accounts.
The Growing Impact on Australian Consumers
According to William Milne, head of crime statistics at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, buying and selling scams, including online shopping fraud, affected approximately 308,000 Australians in 2023-24. This represents a significant increase from the 200,000 victims reported in the previous financial year, indicating a troubling upward trend in online shopping scams.
Marketing lecturer Thuy Pham-Henderson from UWA Business School emphasises that online shopping scams are alarmingly common and frequently under-reported in Australia. Many victims feel embarrassed about falling for these scams or assume that nothing can be done to recover their losses, resulting in numerous incidents going unreported to authorities.
Platform and Retailer Response
Major platforms and retailers are taking active steps to combat clone website scams. Google has implemented strict shopping advertisement policies and commits to swiftly removing advertisements that violate these guidelines. When fraudulent advertisements are identified, the platform not only removes the offending content but also takes action against the advertiser accounts responsible for the violations.
Aldi Australia has acknowledged awareness of websites impersonating their brand and actively pursues their removal to protect customers. The retailer works closely with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and its National Anti-Scam Centre, collaborating with organisations like Google to eliminate avenues that scammers exploit. Aldi emphasises that DoorDash is the only authorised platform selling Aldi products online in Australia.
Protecting Yourself from Clone Website Scams
Consumer protection experts stress the importance of vigilance and verification when shopping online. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, warns that scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with technology enabling scammers to reach more people than ever before. As scammers continually evolve their tactics, consumers must remain alert to potential threats.
Before making online purchases, consumers should verify they are dealing with legitimate retailers by checking official websites directly rather than clicking on search advertisements. Examining website URLs carefully, looking for secure payment options, and researching unfamiliar retailers can help prevent falling victim to clone website scams. When deals appear too good to be true, additional verification steps become even more critical.