While the Covid-19 crisis has boosted e-commerce in Belgium, there was also a major drawback: e-commerce fraud has quadrupled in the last year.
Damage quadruples
Fraud totalling 21.5 million euros was reeported last year, four times more than 2019’s 5.2 million. That is especially remarkable as in the previous years, the reported fraud has been more or less stable, Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reports.
“In addition an increase in online purchases, fraudsters are becoming more professional”, Secretary of State for Consumer Protection Eva De Bleeker explains. These fake websites are increasingly becoming more convincing copies, she says. Another reason for the remarkable rise is the increasing awareness of the hotline, De Bleeker says.
The Secretary of State says the fraudsters also are increasing their speed, often outmanoeuvring the economic inspection. “For that reason, we have to continue focussing on raising awareness and prevention”, De Bleeker concludes.
