‘Poisoned’ AI: the ChatGPT shopping scams that lead to fake websites

‘Poisoned’ AI: the ChatGPT shopping scams that lead to fake websites | Scams

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/07/ai-chatgpt-shopping-scams-fake-websites

Publish Date: 2026-06-07 02:07:00

Here’s a summary of the article you provided, presented in an unordered list with between 4 to 8 key points:

* A user is looking to buy a bag from the popular brand Russell & Bromley and seeks recommendations from the AI assistant ChatGPT.
* ChatGPT provides information on crossbody, shoulder, casual, and formal bags available from Russell & Bromley, along with price details.
* The user clicks through on what appears to be the official Russell & Bromley site and buys a bag, only to find out later that the site was a fake and the item will not arrive.
* Scam-checking service Ask Silver reveals that cloned sites have appeared in search results provided by ChatGPT, imitating Russell & Bromley and Dunelm.
* Louise Baxter from National Trading Standards warns that AI-recommended websites can’t always be trusted, highlighting the risks of fraudsters exploiting AI tools.
* Ask Silver’s research asked ChatGPT for popular bags from Russell & Bromley, with the results containing links to fraudulent sites that mimic the appearance of genuine retailers.
* Users are advised to be cautious of cloned sites by checking the URL, avoiding sites that only accept bank transfers, and to steer clear of unusually large discounts.
* To stay safe, users are encouraged to visit retailer websites directly and report fraudulent sites to the appropriate authorities if financial details are compromised.