Apartes.online is a fraudulent website posing as an official Nike store, using the Nike logo, product images, and promotional texts to deceive consumers into believing they are purchasing genuine Nike products. The website is part of a larger network of scam sites, evidenced by its use of a common template linked to other fraudulent activities. A particularly deceptive tactic includes opening an empty page when accessed from a desktop computer, likely intended to thwart analysis or detection by security tools.
Advertised on Facebook, Apartes.online entices potential victims with announcements of a “Hot Sale Alert”, offering shoes starting at $19.99. These ads promise a wide selection of styles “straight from the factory” at unbeatable prices for a limited time, coupled with promises of free returns and exchanges. However, these too-good-to-be-true deals are designed to lure shoppers into providing payment details or personal information.
Critical details such as the use of a suspicious contact email (support@koronacide.com), which is linked to other scams, and the absence of legitimate contact information like a phone number, social media profiles, or a physical company address, signal the site’s illegitimacy. Furthermore, the domain’s recent registration date (February 21, 2024) and the attempt to anonymize registrant information through a domain protection service in Denver, United States, are common tactics employed by fraudulent sites to evade detection and responsibility.
This article will guide readers through identifying the red flags associated with the Apartes.online scam and similar fraudulent websites. We’ll also offer vital tips for safely navigating online shopping, ensuring that consumers can protect themselves from falling victim to such deceptive practices.
Table of Contents
π¨ Is Apartes.online a Scam? Beware!
Yes, Apartes.online is a scam, and we have several signs to prove it. Below, we’ll list these clear indicators to help you stay safe. Understanding these signs is crucial for protecting your personal and financial information.
π© Fake Brand Association (Nike)
The use of the Nike logo, images, and texts on Apartes.online without authorization indicates a fake website exploiting the reputable Nike brand to deceive customers.
π Template Linked to Scams
The website employing a template associated with other known scams raises suspicions about Apartes.online’s legitimacy, suggesting a lack of originality and credibility.
π₯οΈ Dodgy Desktop Behavior
The tactic of redirecting to an empty page on desktop devices to avoid scrutiny or analysis hints at deceptive practices by Apartes.online, potentially concealing malicious activities.
π’ Misleading Facebook Ads
The enticing Facebook ads promoting unbelievably low prices, fake sales, and limited-time offers on Nike products point to a classic bait-and-switch strategy employed by scam stores like Apartes.online.
π΅οΈ Lack of Legitimate Contact Information
Apartes.online’s contact details, limited to an email address linked to other scams and lacking a phone number, social media presence, or physical address, indicate a lack of transparency and accountability.
π Suspicious Domain Registration
The domain registration information for Apartes.online, hiding the real registrant’s identity with a generic organization name and a PO Box address, appears shady and potentially fraudulent.
π₯ Unrealistically Low Prices
The store’s claim of all products, including Nike items, priced as low as $19.99 raises red flags about Apartes.online’s legitimacy, as such prices significantly undercut market value and suggest a scam operation.
π« Limited Time Offers and Free Returns
Promoting limited-time offers and free returns, especially on fake sales, is a common tactic used by scam stores to create a sense of urgency and entice impulsive purchases, as evident on Apartes.online.
β Missing Company Information
The absence of crucial company details, such as a physical address, social media presence, and contact phone number, further casts doubt on the credibility and legitimacy of Apartes.online as a trustworthy online retailer.
Summary Table: Apartes.online Review
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Website Name | Apartes.online (fake Nike website) |
Scam Signs |
– Uses Nike logo, images, texts – Uses a template linked to other scams – Opens an empty page on desktop to avoid analysis |
Scam Ads |
“π₯ Hot Sale Alert! π₯ π Unbeatable prices starting at $19.99! Don’t miss our incredible Shoe Clearance. Limited time only! π Discover a wide range of styles, from sleek runners to trendy sneakers, straight from the factory. β° Hurry, these amazing deals last for one week only. Get ready to step into savings with unmatched comfort and style. Shop now! π Nike Clearance sale $19.99 APARTES.ONLINE All products as low as $19.99 π₯Free returns and exchanges πLimited Time Offersβ°” |
Promoted Products | All products as low as $19.99 |
Advertised Price | $19.99 |
Promotion Method |
– Ads on Facebook (“π₯ Hot Sale Alert!”) – Promotion through the website (APARTES.ONLINE) |
Claimed Sale or Offer | Nike Clearance sale $19.99 |
Impersonated Brands | Nike (Scammers are impersonating the Nike brand) |
Website Features |
– Opens an empty page on desktop to avoid analysis – Creation Date: 2024-02-21 – Uses a template linked to other scams |
Contact Information |
Email: support@koronacide.com (linked to other scams) No phone, social media, company, address |
What to Do If Scammed π¨
If you get scammed while shopping online, it’s important to act fast. Here’s what you can do:
π Stop Further Transactions
The first step is to halt any additional transactions that might be in process. Contact your bank or credit card provider and inform them that you’ve fallen victim to a scam. They can help by blocking the card or reversing any unauthorized transactions.
π Report the Fraud
File a report with your local police and provide all the available evidence, such as screenshots, emails, and website URLs. Additionally, report the scam to online portals like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at www.bbb.org or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you’re in another country, reach out to your national consumer protection agency.
π» Take Screenshots
Before the scam website gets taken down or changes, make sure to capture screenshots of your transactions and communications. These can serve as evidence if you decide to pursue legal action.
βοΈ Consult Legal Advice
Speak to a legal advisor about your situation. While pursuing legal action may be time-consuming and costly, it could be a possible avenue for recovering your lost money.
π’ Share Your Experience
Use social media platforms to share your experience and warn others about the scam. Your story could prevent someone else from falling victim to the same or similar scams.
π« Conclusion: Don’t Get Tricked!
In reality, Apartes.online is nothing more than a fraudulent operation masquerading as a legitimate Nike website. They shamelessly exploit the Nike brand, utilizing its logo, images, and texts to deceive unsuspecting consumers. This scam employs a template that’s interconnected with other fraudulent schemes, making it challenging to distinguish from genuine websites at first glance. Additionally, to evade detection and analysis, Apartes.online opens an empty page on desktop devices, further obscuring its true nature.
The Facebook ads promoting these seemingly irresistible deals serve as the bait, promising unbeatable prices starting at $19.99 for a wide selection of Nike shoes. However, once you fall victim to their scheme and make a purchase, you’re likely to receive nothing in return.
Contacting Apartes.online for support or attempting to seek recourse is a futile endeavor. With no phone number, social media presence, company information, or physical address provided, victims are left without any means to address their grievances.
Bottom Line: Steer clear of Apartes.online and any websites exhibiting similar fraudulent behavior. Protect yourself from falling prey to scams by remaining vigilant and skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true. π‘οΈπ³
Being cautious and informed can prevent you from becoming another victim of online scams. If an offer appears too enticing, exercise caution, as it’s likely a ploy to deceive you. π€