Appeal to find people affected by social media supermarket scams

Have you been affected by social media ads offering fake supermarket offers?

Derbyshire Police officials are appealing for information following a rise in social media advertisements offering heavily discounted supermarket deliveries, electronics, and household goods.

Organised criminals have been advertising deals on social media, claiming to offer genuine discounts on major retail and grocery orders. People who transfer money to these sellers often find their orders never arrive.

If you have responded to one of these adverts, paid money, and either did not receive your items or had an order cancelled by the retailer, officers want to hear from you.

You are not in trouble; you are a vital witness in helping dismantle these organised criminal groups.

The signs of a scam:

• Social media profiles advertising 40% – 70% off grocery shopping, electricals, or high-street retail orders.
• Requests to pay via private bank transfer, payment apps, or cryptocurrency rather than through an official retailer website.
• Orders that were cancelled shortly after being placed or failed to arrive.

If you have interacted with or sent funds to one of these sellers, please get in touch with the investigation team.

Please contact Derbyshire Constabulary via non-emergency methods quoting Operation Chipper / 26*496694.

• Website – There are crime reporting tools at www.derbyshire.police.uk/
• Facebook – send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• X (Twitter) – direct message the contact centre via @DerPolContact

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.

PC Colin Smith, who is leading Operation Chipper for Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “These criminals are advertising fake deals to get your money and personal details. If you’re looking to shop, always use trusted links for the website you want to visit, never trust a link on social media or that’s been sent to you via a message or email.

“People who have followed these links and submitted their information and/or payment details might have seen their accounts being hacked or money taken out of their account. Please contact us if you’ve been affected by this type of scam.”