Anika Iris

When I started college this fall, I decided to upgrade my wardrobe: nothing too fancy, just comfortable and stylish gear to wear on campus. That’s when I came across this website that promised high-fashion looks for very affordable prices for students. Their ads looked sleek on Instagram: models laughing in oversized, perfectly dyed hoodies and vintage-style graphic tees. Of course, I was hooked, sadly.

One stood out in particular: a forest green, thick-knit hoodie advertised as a steal at $25. Something told me that it was too good to be true, but the urgency of the Flash Sale: 90% Off for Next 3 Hours Only drowned out my worries. The site looked professional, had a countdown timer, and even a little floating pop-up saying “customer just bought this!”

I entered my credit card details, paid the $25, including shipping, and got a confirmation email within minutes. Looking back, the email was the first red flag: It was full of typos, and the tracking number it provided didn’t link to any carrier.

That is when the sickening realisation hit me: I hadn’t just bought a cheap hoodie; I’d fallen for a classic digital media hoax and scam. The hoax used high-quality stolen images and brand names to give the illusion of legitimacy. The scam was taking the money and product, and the website disappeared right after my purchase. This scheme preyed on the urgency and low price point that tempts broke college students.

I never got the hoodie or any part of my $25 back. No, instead, I got a cheap silver ring with a glass stone about 2 months after I ordered the hoodie. I felt embarrassed that I’d trusted the slick visuals and fake scarcity. Now, before I click ‘purchase’ anywhere, I do some serious background checks on the website and products. 

What is the most unbelievable online scam you have ever come across? Share your story in the comments!