The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is cautioning Nigerians to beware of fraudulent online retailers as the annual ‘Black Friday’ sales approach.
Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, conveyed this message in an advisory released on Thursday.
According to Irukera, the Commission anticipates a 135% increase in counterfeit online stores, urging Nigerians to exercise vigilance and only engage with reputable and trustworthy platforms for their shopping needs.
“The FCCPC has gathered credible intelligence indicating a projected surge of fake online stores and other deceptive practices, such as scams and misrepresentations, during the traditional Black Friday sales. This revelation, supported by public reports from entities like Netcraft, necessitates heightened consumer awareness and insistence on full and transparent disclosures,” he stated.
Netcraft, a prominent research group, had previously raised concerns about the proliferation of fake online retailers in the lead-up to Black Friday sales, which are set to take place from the 24th to the 27th of November following the United States’ Thanksgiving Day celebrations.
