Web-Based Scams Target Firearm Industry Retailers, Buyers

by
posted on March 25, 2021
fraudulent-industry-websites-scams-f.jpg

A prominent warning on your first visit to the SIG Sauer website home page reminds firearm enthusiasts that the increased demand for guns, ammunition and accessories has attracted unwelcome attention from some with less-than-honorable intentions. It reads: “SIG Sauer has been made aware of several fraudulent websites that claim to be selling SIG Sauer products.”

“The following websites are NOT authorized retailers or distributors of SIG Sauer firearms and in some instances may be a scam—www.sigsauerstore247.com, www.sigsauerpistols.org, www.ssgundeals.com, www.sigsauerarms.com, www.SigSauerBroker.com.”

The notice doesn’t appear during second or subsequent visits to the website, likely a clutter-reducing byproduct of browser cookies. American Rifleman contacted SIG Sauer and confirmed the warning is legitimate. Other firearm firms are also suffering with the increase in unauthorized activity, a byproduct of the increased financial clout of the industry and widespread demand for its products. 

A “Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report 2021,” released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation last week, provides perspective to the growth in gun manufacturing and sales. It states that from 2008 to 2019 the industry’s economic impact grew by 232 percent. Even in 2020, when most sectors experienced significant downturns, the gun industry grew by $3.5 billion and added 10,000 jobs. The findings are in stark contrast to the unemployment increase during the pandemic.

Online scams and websites hosting malware are nothing new, but news reports and official warnings increased significantly last year as consumers turned to keyboards for shopping. In October News4SA, a Texas-based NBC affiliated, covered the case of a gun buyer who was scammed, issuing a warning that, “Cybercriminals are targeting items that are trending right now, anything related to personal protective equipment (PPE), even weapons and ammunition.”

In November, Arkansas CBS-affiliate THV11 told viewers that, “Suspicious ads on websites are also a problem, redirecting people to sites that look real. But, in reality, you may be buying something that will never show up.”

Jessica Franklin, spokesperson for the Little Rock, AR, FBI office told the reporter, “If you see an online ad, make sure you’re being redirected to a verified website.” She estimated that in 2019—before the pandemic’s exponential increase in online shopping—web-based scammers fraudulently collected $22 million from Arkansas residents alone.

Latest

Springfield Amory Echelon
Springfield Amory Echelon

Springfield Echelon: The Leading Edge Of Self-Defense

A new full-size pistol from a trusted brand brings the latest thinking to bear on the striker-fired, polymer-frame semi-automatic format—whether for duty or everyday carry.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 2, 2023

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FBI Underreports Armed Citizen Actions, Study Says

A detailed study on lives saved by the actions of armed, law-abiding citizens, issued on Aug. 31 by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), found the number reported annually by the FBI reflects a mere fraction of the real figure.

Product Preview: Cold Steel Heavy Duty Sword Cane

A flat-black exterior finish on its heat-treated aluminum shaft and a black, molded-nylon handle give Cold Steel’s Heavy Duty Sword Cane a discreet appearance.

5 Must-Know Rifle Drills

While the basics are fairly fixed, firearm training is in constant evolution, with shooters developing new techniques to safely and skillfully build handling and shooting techniques to maximize the potential for both new and seasoned shooters.

New For 2023: CVA Crossfire

The CVA Crossfire is the latest muzzleloading design to utilize the Federal FireStick system, which makes loading safer, more consistent and easier.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.