PTAC blocks suspicious online store luring customers with air conditioners during heatwave

The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) has decided to block an online store that was operating in Latvia and posed a significant risk to consumer interests.

The website, in Latvian, advertised and offered various products, especially portable air conditioners. According to PTAC, the risk to consumers is particularly high during hot weather when demand for such items surges.

Several violations were found during the inspection. The seller's identity was hidden – no company name, registration number, or legal address was provided on the site. The email addresses listed turned out to be non-existent, making it impossible for PTAC to contact the seller and voluntarily remedy the violations. The domain was registered on December 21, 2025, with the owner concealed – only the developer “Distributed Growth s.o.o.” was indicated.

To rush consumers into making purchases, the store used misleading statements such as “only the last 7 units available” and “delivery within 24 hours.” The advertisement was also distributed on Facebook via the profile “Smart Choise Finds.”

Moreover, the Latvian text on the website was of poor quality with numerous errors. It did not include distance contract terms or a withdrawal form. The antivirus software AVG identified the site as a fake e-store.

PTAC urges consumers to be cautious when buying from unfamiliar online stores. Before making a purchase, it is recommended to verify the reliability of the site and the identity of the seller.