Overview

• Berlin has formally proposed federal legal changes to address the rise of fraudulent online shops, which number around 1,600 new sites monthly in Germany.
• The initiative, led by Consumer Protection Senator Felor Badenberg, aims to hold intermediary platforms like search engines and marketplaces more accountable for enabling fake shops.
• Proposed measures include closing legal loopholes and empowering authorities to more effectively shut down fraudulent websites.
• Consumer protection groups report significant harms, including financial losses of up to €10,000 for one in four victims and frequent misuse of buyer data.
• The proposal reflects growing concerns over the economic and trust-related impacts of e-commerce fraud, as fake shops become increasingly professionalized.