Online shopping Scams Surge in Lithuania, Experts Warn of Refined Tactics
Vilnius, Lithuania – September 24, 2025 – A Vilnius resident, identified only as Jūratė, recently fell victim to an online shopping scam, highlighting a growing trend of increasingly convincing fraudulent websites targeting Lithuanian consumers. Jūratė’s experience, characterized by a complete lack of initial suspicion, underscores the deceptive nature of these operations and the urgent need for heightened vigilance during peak shopping seasons.
The incident comes as cybersecurity experts report a significant rise in sophisticated online scams, particularly ahead of major holidays and sales events.These fraudulent sites frequently enough closely mimic legitimate retailers,differing only in subtle details like website addresses or payment options,according to Linas Apynis,a cybersecurity expert. The potential financial losses for consumers are substantial, and the emotional distress caused by such scams is considerable. Authorities are bracing for a further increase in these incidents as the year-end shopping season approaches.
Apynis outlined key indicators of perhaps fraudulent websites, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing details often overlooked by hurried shoppers. These include verifying the website address (URL) for even minor discrepancies, being wary of sites offering only wire transfers without displaying company details, questioning unrealistically low prices, and checking for active social media presence and customer reviews.
“Sometimes the only difference is the website address or the payment methods,” Apynis stated.
To protect themselves, experts recommend utilizing virtual or limited-amount credit cards, choosing secure payment gateways, employing robust antivirus software, and validating website legitimacy through tools like scamadviser.com. Additionally, manually typing website addresses rather of clicking on advertisements, enabling two-factor authentication, creating strong, unique passwords, and reviewing page feedback are crucial preventative measures.
should a consumer suspect they have been defrauded, Apynis advises immediate action: contacting their bank to halt payments, blocking the compromised card, changing passwords, and filing a report with the police. “Speed is critical in this situation – the sooner you react, the greater the chance of recovering lost funds,” he explained.
Lithuanian authorities confirm a growing number of similar cases, with incidents spiking several times over during promotional periods. Consumers are urged to exercise caution and thoroughly investigate sellers before completing any online purchase, no matter how appealing the offer may seem.
