This scam campaign centers around the domain track718.us, which has been used to facilitate fraudulent online sales operations targeting consumers through social media advertising and deceptive e-commerce practices. The domain was registered on December 29, 2020, through TLD Registrar Solutions Ltd., indicating this operation has been active for several years.
Consumer reports reveal a pattern of fraudulent online merchandise sales, with victims losing money on items that are never delivered. Two documented cases include a consumer in Los Angeles who attempted to purchase a commemorative Pop! Figure of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford advertised on Facebook, never receiving an order receipt or the merchandise. A separate incident involved a California-based victim in the 95648 ZIP code area (Loomis/Rocklin region) who lost $51 purchasing a tripod through track718.us, with the transaction processed by a business identified as "Faina." The Better Business Bureau has classified this activity under online purchase scams.
The geographic targeting appears focused on California consumers, with both reported incidents occurring within the state. The scammers are leveraging social media platforms like Facebook to advertise fake merchandise, particularly targeting sports fans with commemorative items and consumers seeking photography equipment. The use of track718.us as a shipping or tracking domain creates a veneer of legitimacy while facilitating the fraudulent transactions.
To protect yourself from similar scams, always verify the legitimacy of unfamiliar websites before making purchases by checking domain registration details and searching for consumer reviews. Be especially cautious of deals advertised through social media posts or ads that redirect to unfamiliar domains. If contacted by suspicious sellers, hang up immediately on phone calls, do not click on email or text links, and report the activity to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or file complaints with the FCC. You can verify the safety of phone numbers and domains using reverse lookup tools and by checking consumer protection databases before engaging with unknown entities.
This represents a moderate threat level involving established fraudulent infrastructure that has successfully targeted multiple consumers over an extended period. Immediate action should include adding track718.us to security blocklists and monitoring for related domains using similar naming patterns or the same registrar for potential campaign expansion.