Ministry warns against social media scams by fake wedding planners and E-commerce websites

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The offer on social media was so enticing that they booked it without a second thought. However, they were baffled on the day of the booking to find that no venue had been reserved in their names, despite making full payment upfront.

This is just one example of fraudsters operating on social media platforms under the guise of wedding planners and e-commerce websites, warns the Consumer Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The agency cautions consumers about fraudulent accounts posing as wedding planners, offering attractive packages on social media.

These scammers lure consumers into signing contracts and paying upfront fees, only to disappear once payment is received, leaving consumers without services and no way to recover their funds.

Additionally, the directorate warns about accounts posing as e-commerce websites.

These scammers entice customers to make purchases, receive full payment, and then vanish without delivering the promised goods or services.

Often operating under closed businesses, these fraudulent accounts make it impossible for consumers to seek redress.

The Consumer Protection Directorate urges consumers to be vigilant and exercise caution when dealing with online businesses, especially on social media platforms.

Consumers are advised to verify the legitimacy of accounts, avoid making upfront payments, and report any suspicious activity to the Consumer Protection Directorate immediately.