Perfume Scam

Perfume Scam

Guard against perfume scams and fraudulent fragrance deals. Discover tips to identify fake perfume sellers, avoid online fragrance fraud, and protect yourself from deceptive practices in the perfume industry.

Is perfume your final yet most essential accessory, completing your ensemble with a touch of elegance? Do you feel a sense of incompleteness when choosing not to wear perfume? Well, step right up and experience the allure of this recently launched fragrance that not only smells exquisite but also captivates the senses effortlessly. Inhale the enchanting aroma from this bottle of perfume, now available at an unbeatable and affordable price. However, scammers have adopted a deceptive tactic by approaching unsuspecting individuals in malls or parking lots, urging them to sample a seemingly high-quality perfume at an unbelievably low price. These scammers employ persuasive tactics, claiming that this perfume's fragrance surpasses all others and spreads faster than air. It's essential to remain cautious and informed, steering clear of potential scams that may compromise your experience with fragrances. Always make informed choices when it comes to purchasing perfumes and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.


Individuals are typically enticed to sniff a bottle of perfume or a paper strip containing no actual fragrance. Once the user inhales the supposed "neat perfume" provided by the scammer, they lose consciousness. This occurs because the scammer tricks the user into sniffing "ether" under the guise of genuine perfume. The fraudster seizes the opportunity to rob the victim of all their belongings before disappearing without a trace.

The victim only becomes aware of the situation upon regaining consciousness, realizing they have fallen victim to the infamous "Perfume scam." Those who have experienced this scam firsthand are actively raising awareness by sending emails to friends and family, cautioning them about the dangers of the perfume scam. Some scammers attempt to discredit these claims by running websites denying the existence of the perfume scam, dismissing it as a fabricated trend for attention.

In reality, organized groups of scammers are purportedly incapacitating their victims by exposing them to ether in the guise of a genuine perfume. Innocent individuals, unaware of this deceptive tactic, unwittingly fall prey to sniffing a bottle of perfume or a strip infused with ether. The perfume scam is also commonly referred to as the "knockout perfume scam."

Tips for users to beware of perfume scam:

  • It is crucial for individuals to avoid sniffing any perfume bottle or strip offered in unconventional locations. Legitimate perfume sellers do not conduct transactions in parking lots or malls; they operate from reputable stores.
  • Scammers often target solitary women. It is advisable to refrain from engaging in conversations with strangers, especially when alone.
  • Prioritize checking the authenticity of a product before making any considerations.
  • Female scammers are commonly associated with perfume scams. Therefore, individuals encountering such situations should exercise caution and handle them with care.





The perfume scam is well-known as a deceptive tactic employed by scammers. However, it's essential for users to remain vigilant as scammers may attempt to deceive them by asking them to smell something else, disguising it as a legitimate perfume. In the perfume scam, the scammer's primary objective is to convince the victim to sniff a piece of paper. Once the victim complies, the scam is successfully executed, and the fraudster absconds with all the belongings the victim possesses. Stay cautious and be aware of these fraudulent schemes.

Examples of emails that are spreading awareness about perfume scam:

The following screenshot serves as an illustration of an email sent by a victim of the perfume scam. These individuals, who have fallen prey to the scam, are actively working to raise awareness among their friends and family about the deceptive practices carried out by scammers.


Below is another screenshot of a user who describes how she was made aware about perfume scam over the radio.


Ripandscam.com takes pride in protecting and making all the users aware of such spammy tricks done by the scammers.

The "snatch and sniff" crime is a growing menace where scammers deceive unsuspecting consumers by making them smell ether under the guise of offering perfume, typically in parking lots. The goal is to render the victims unconscious. Once an individual inhales this fraudulent perfume, they lose consciousness, enabling the scammer to steal all their belongings. This age-old tactic is often employed by scammers in parking lots and shopping malls to target their victims.


The perfume scam traces its origins back to the early days of 1999 when the first reported case occurred. Since then, there have been widespread awareness campaigns and alert emails to inform users about the existence of perfume scams. The provided screenshot recounts a personal experience of a woman who was approached to sniff perfume in a mall parking lot. Fortunately, she had received a warning email about perfume scams, shedding light on how these scams operate. Perpetrators of perfume scams often include female members in their gangs, targeting other women under the assumption that women are more likely to trust each other. Scammers exploit this trust to approach innocent victims, attempting to stop them, and subsequently, stealing their belongings and money.


The following screenshot depicts the account of a woman who fell victim to a perfume scam orchestrated by another woman. She ended up losing $800 that she had in her possession. Despite attempts by various online platforms to dismiss perfume scams as myths, the harsh reality remains that scammers actively seek to exploit unsuspecting victims in various ways. The act of making victims smell perfume under the guise of selling a product is one of the simplest yet effective methods scammers employ to deceive innocent individuals. Perfume scams are real, and users must exercise extreme caution when encountering such offers in unusual places like parking lots or malls.