Deputy Minister Pavlov Participates in a Roundtable Discussion on the Topic of Internet Fraud: The New Pandemic

Any consumer can buy a product from anywhere in the world, but this involves risks to the quality of the goods and to the protection of personal data. This is what Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nikolay Pavlov said during a round table on "Internet Fraud - The New Pandemic".

During the discussion, Deputy Minister Pavlov noted that the online environment and digital markets offer numerous innovations and benefits for consumers. However, he cautioned that consumers should be particularly vigilant about fake websites, misleading models, and deceptive techniques. "Internet fraud is becoming more common because unfair practices are a part of our lives, and the likelihood of encountering them in the virtual space, where we spend increasing amounts of time, is even higher," he added.

In his words attention should be focused on both the young and the elderly to prevent them from falling victim to online fraud and harmful commercial practices. The main goal is to ensure that consumers have equal rights, regardless of how they choose to do their shopping.

Most participants in the discussion agreed that extremely low prices in online shopping often indicate a scam, or low-quality and counterfeit products that could pose health risks.

During the round table, Deputy Minister Pavlov emphasized the importance of strong coordination among the responsible institutions. "We must consistently discuss this topic, share our experiences, and ensure there are no gaps in our legislation," he added.

The event is organized by the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP), the European Consumer Centre (ECC), which functions under the Commission, and the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria.