Fake Discounts: Spanish Consumer Ministry fines 7 online retailers over Black Friday pricing fraud

Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has fined seven e-commerce companies for manipulating prices ahead of Black Friday. The scheme: prices were first raised, then brought back down to their original level — creating the illusion of a discount. The total fines amount to around €350,000.

🔍 Inspections were carried out using the EU's Price Reduction Tool, which will continue to be used going forward.

📜 Under the law, the "pre-discount price" must reflect the lowest price within the previous 30 days, not an artificially inflated one.

Three companies admitted to the violation and paid a reduced fine. The others denied wrongdoing — and now face higher penalties.

🔎 A new investigation for the 2024 Black Friday season is already underway.