As the festival season shopping gathers momentum, information and communication technology (ICT) experts have warned online Black Friday shoppers to exercise caution and avoid suspicious websites to prevent falling victim to digital shopping scams.
Speaking to reporters on Monday in Abuja, experts noted that while Black Friday is popular for offering the best deals, scammers exploit the frenzy to defraud unsuspecting shoppers.
Originally, Black Friday referred to massive discounts offered by retailers on the Friday after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. It has since evolved into a global shopping event ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities.
Tobi David, an ICT expert, urged shoppers to follow expert advice and practice safe digital shopping habits.
“Shoppers and retailers are up against polished phishing sites and fake emails that blur the line between legitimate and fraudulent communication,” he said. “Cyber threats mimicking Black Friday deals have evolved beyond the misspelled emails of the past, thanks to easily accessible AI tools. Scams are now more sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish real deals from fake ones.”
He advised shoppers to verify website addresses, type the seller’s URL directly into browsers, look for HTTPS encryption and the padlock symbol, and use secure payment gateways. He also urged skepticism toward unsolicited offers shared via email or social media.
Ann Chukwu, a secondary school economics teacher, warned that phishing emails promising “special Black Friday discounts” are flooding inboxes, often leading to malware downloads or stolen data. She noted that with online sales offering discounts of up to 30–50%, millions of consumers flock online, exposing themselves to fraudulent activities.
“There are reports that fake retail websites have surged by more than 200%, many designed to mimic trusted platforms like Konga, Jumia, and international sites such as Temu,” she said.
Rafia Sule, an online garment seller, added that Black Friday is no longer just about chasing bargains but also about protecting oneself from cybercriminals.
“The excitement of discounts should not blind consumers to the reality that cybercriminals lurk behind many ‘too-good-to-be-true’ offers,” she said. “Consumers must adopt a mindset of caution and skepticism while shopping online.”
