So, you are an online biz owner or a paid search marketer working for one and are currently witnessing the e-commerce tide turning in your favor.
Orders are flowing, ads are getting clicks, and metrics look impressive. But wait—something feels off.
Those clicks? Bots. The bulk order from overseas? Fake. And that sweet return on ad spend (ROAS) you were eyeing? Poof, gone.
E-commerce fraud is the sneaky villain in your success story, and it’s out to drain your ad budgets, mess up your data, and wreak havoc on your growth. As an e-commerce business owner or paid search marketer, this isn’t just frustrating—it’s expensive.
But here’s the plot twist: with the right strategies, you can outsmart the fraudsters and turn your campaigns into a fortress of profitability.
At Mavlers, with 12+ years of experience in strategizing and executing flawless paid ad campaigns, we don’t just fight fraud; we build smarter campaigns that protect your ad spend and fuel sustainable growth.
Table of contents
- An insight into why the fraud factor is hampering your growth
- How data can be used as a secret weapon against fraud
- Why smarter campaigns lead to fewer instances of fraud
- How Mavlers stays ahead of the fraudsters
- Case study
In this blog, our in-house SEM expert, Arjun Pratap Singh, will elucidate how e-commerce fraud prevention works, how we fight back, and how these efforts improve your business. Ready? Let’s dive in.
The fraud factor: Why it’s hampering your growth
E-commerce fraud doesn’t just come with a hefty price tag—it steals your time, insights, and ability to scale effectively. Here’s a quick look at the common types of fraud you’re up against:
- Fake orders: These look like big wins but lead to inventory issues, chargebacks, and messy data.
- Click fraud: Bots (or shady competitors) spam your ads, burning through your budget.
- Fake engagement: Automated scripts or bogus profiles inflate your metrics without any real ROI.
The result?
Ad spend goes down the drain, and you’re left making decisions based on faulty data. The first step in fighting back is knowing where to look.
How data can be used as a secret e-commerce fraud prevention measure
They say, “Don’t believe what you hear and only half of what you see!” (Yep, we have been diggin’ Wednesday, too! 😉 )
Let’s begin with the art and science of spotting fake orders that we swear by at Mavlers.
Ever seen a massive order that feels too good to be true? It probably is. Fake orders don’t just inflate your performance metrics—they leave you holding unsold inventory and dealing with payment headaches.
So, simply said, fake orders are a common tactic in which fraudsters place large orders with no intention of paying or collecting.
These can artificially inflate metrics, leading to skewed ad performance and business losses. Marketers must track patterns in order volume, payment methods, and shipping addresses to detect and block such activities.
At Mavlers, we use behavioral analytics and order validation tools to:
- Flag suspicious orders that show abnormal patterns.
- Analyze payment discrepancies or mismatched shipping and billing information.
- Minimize chargeback risks by verifying orders in real-time.
Why smarter campaigns lead to fewer instances of fraud
Great campaigns don’t just target the right people—they block the wrong ones. Fraud often starts at the campaign level, which is why optimizing your ads is crucial for protection.
Here’s a sneak peek into our fraud-fighting toolkit;
- IP filtering: Ban those sketchy IP addresses linked to bots or fraudsters.
- Conversion tracking: Focus on regions and devices with real engagement and high ROAS.
- Audience refinement: Use data to zero in on genuine customer behavior and weed out the rest.
Whether you’re running ads on Google, Facebook, TikTok, or Snapchat, our experts fine-tune every campaign to keep fraudsters out and real customers in.
How Mavlers stays ahead of the fraudsters
Here’s how our SEM ninjas dodge the fraudsters and stay one step ahead each time, day in and day out!
1. AI and real-time fraud detection
Fraud moves fast, but we move faster. Mavlers leverages AI to detect unusual activity across platforms. Bots inflating clicks? Caught. Fake interactions? Blocked. Invalid traffic? Stopped before it eats your budget.
With AI and behavioral analytics, we make sure every dollar you spend reaches a legitimate audience.
2. Cross-platform protection
Fraud doesn’t play favorites—it looks different across platforms. Here’s how we tackle it:
- Google Ads: We prevent click fraud and monitor invalid traffic.
- Facebook Ads: Fake profiles? Not on our watch.
- TikTok Ads: No room for bots here.
- Snapchat Ads: Misleading referrals are filtered out.
Our unified dashboards give you a bird’s-eye view of all your campaigns so you can spot fraud and track performance in real time.
Wondering how fraud defense optimizes business growth? Well, here’s how!
- Fraud prevention = More profit
Stopping fraud isn’t just about saving money—it’s about making more of it. When your campaigns are clean, your targeting sharpens, your leads improve, and your profitability soars.
At Mavlers, we analyze every aspect of your campaign—conversion rates, regions, audience segments—and reallocate your budget to high-performing areas. This means less wastage, better ROAS, and more money in your pocket.
- Fraud-free = Trust building
When customers see your ads and buy your products, they trust you. By cutting out fraud, we improve your ad quality, leading to happier customers and long-term loyalty.
Case study: Combatting fake orders with advanced analytics
A retail client running campaigns across multiple platforms experienced a surge in fake orders from specific regions. This resulted in increased inventory costs and skewed performance metrics. By collaborating with Mavlers, the client deployed:
- Location filtering to block suspicious areas.
- IP monitoring tools to identify bots placing fake orders.
- Behavioral analytics to track legitimate user behavior.
Here’s what the results looked like:
- 30% reduction in ad spend waste caused by fake orders.
- Increased ROAS through refined targeting and budget reallocation.
- Improved inventory management, as orders reflected genuine demand.
The road ahead
E-commerce fraud may be inevitable, but you don’t have to fight it alone. With Mavlers by your side, you’ll have the tools, expertise, and strategies not just to block fraud but thrive despite it.
We now suggest reading ~ How to Protect Your Ad Spend from Fake Clicks and Fraudulent Conversions in PMAX Campaigns.
Arjun Pratap Singh
Arjun Pratap Singh, a dedicated digital marketing professional at Mavlers, is known for his analytical approach and dedication to client satisfaction. With over four years of expertise in crafting data-driven, multi-channel campaigns across platforms like Google Ads, Facebook/Instagram Ads, and TikTok Ads, Arjun ensures seamless communication and delivers impactful campaign performance. Focused on smashing KPIs and building meaningful brand connections, he thrives on optimizing ad spend and driving client growth. When not immersed in analytics, you’ll find him exploring the latest marketing technologies or enjoying a cup of chai while brainstorming his next big idea!
Naina Sandhir - Content Writer
A content writer at Mavlers, Naina pens quirky, inimitable, and damn relatable content after an in-depth and critical dissection of the topic in question. When not hiking across the Himalayas, she can be found buried in a book with spectacles dangling off her nose!
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