She said she now hears less from angry customers, but it leaves her unsure about the future of her online business.
“People are worried about scams with similar names, and that makes it very difficult.”
“We're probably not getting the sales we should have,” she says.
The scam website, C'est la vie Birmingham, claims to be run by a couple named Patrick and Eileen, with Facebook ads claiming that Eileen is selling herself due to her husband's death.
Ms Newman said the financial turmoil was so severe that after her husband's death, she received messages of sympathy from customers wishing her well.
“It's crazy because our websites are completely different. I sell sterling silver, fine pieces, and engagement jewelry,” she said.
Her business is one of many imitated by foreign companies that claim to be independently run to convince customers that they are buying quality goods from trusted sellers.
The reality could not be more different: clothing, jewelry, and other items are shipped in bulk from warehouses in East Asia, and customers must pay high fees if they return anything.
Consumer Guide Which?, external He said the growing use of AI tools meant fraudsters could mislead the public on an “unprecedented” scale.
