Don’t Get Scammed! Tips For Spotting AI-Generated Fake Products Online

This Bellingcat–Evident guide outlines practical methods to spot AI-generated or deceptive product listings and profiles online, including checking for visual inconsistencies (misaligned details, unnatural reflections, blurs), verifying multiple consistent angles, reading for hidden disclosures, assessing buyer photos and reviews, performing reverse-image searches, scrutinizing prices that seem too good to be true, and researching the seller’s identity. Using examples such as supposed "crystal" mugs, inconsistent crochet pattern photos, flat ornaments marketed as 3D, a budget "stained glass" cat lamp, and an AI-generated author image, it shows how to apply basic open-source techniques to avoid scams.