The scammers who hijacked the identity of a Matakana business to run an imitation online clothing store have quickly changed their outfit following media exposure — this time rebranding as an Australian boutique.
The original site, Matakana Boutique, copied the name of the legitimate accommodation and catering business owned by Amy and Simon Hope in the north Auckland town.
First registered in April, the scam website aggressively marketed itself on social media claiming to be a New Zealand-based clothing retailer.
Earlier this week, Amy Hope told 1News she was receiving multiple calls a day from women chasing up late packages, asking for refunds, and complaining about poor-quality clothing they believed were purchased from her business.
“It’s soul-destroying,” she said, describing the emotional toll of being wrongly associated with the scam.
Within 24 hours of that coverage, the matakanaboutique.com domain stopped displaying the fake store, and by Friday evening it was redirecting to Canberra Muse, which billed itself as “brand built in and for” the Australian capital city.
The Canberra Muse website uses the same layout, pricing, and stock clothing images as its predecessor, only its name, location and branding have changed.
Domain registration data showed it was purchased on August 8 and is hosted overseas. Its ownership details were not readily accessible.
Speaking to 1News today, Hope said the website changing was a “great result” for her business. “It’s still getting redirected, but hopefully that website will just go soon.”
How to spot a fake e-store
The Commerce Commission has previously urged consumers to take extra care when shopping online, especially when dealing with unfamiliar websites.
Before making a purchase, the commission recommended researching the business by checking independent reviews and feedback on external platforms.
“Don’t rely solely on testimonials displayed on the company’s own website,” a spokesperson said. “These can be selectively curated or even fabricated.”
Consumers were also encouraged to look for clear and accessible contact details, such as a local address and phone number.
“Legitimate online businesses typically provide transparent information about delivery, returns, and payment security,” the commission said.
Red flags included vague or missing contact information, overly positive reviews with no detail, and websites that mimicked the branding of known businesses.
“Taking a few minutes to verify a site before you buy can save you from being misled or losing money,” the commission added.