Shoppers have been warned to beware online deals that seem too good to be true.
Detective Inspector Callum Leith, from the Crime Intelligence Division of Tayside Police, said shoppers should not be tempted to buy from less reputable websites.
He said: ”People should take the time to make sure the site they are buying from is genuine and remember that if an offer looks too good to be true then it usually is.
”When time and money is short people may be tempted to use cheaper sites but they may end up with counterfeit goods or having their credit or bank details stolen.”
Mr Leith added that basic internet security should not be forgotten.
”People should never open an email requesting their bank details it should be deleted immediately. They should also make sure they have quality, up-to-date anti-virus and malware software.”
Detective Inspector Eamonn Keane, head of e-crime unit, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said: ”With only a few online shopping days left until Christmas, people are likely to be feeling under pressure to get everything they need and this last-minute panic might lead some people to buy from illegitimate websites and to ignore all the safety advice around online shopping.
”Shoppers could be left very disappointed when they realise they have bought from a website selling counterfeit products, or the goods do not turn up because they have ordered from a bogus website.”
The increase in online shopping means online fraudsters are also busier in an attempt to increase their criminal profits. At this time of year they use seasonal approaches, such as novelty emails or gift-related web offers, to disguise online attacks.