Dozens of consumers say they have been left out of pocket after ordering clothing and accessories from websites trading under the names Maisons de Monaco and Maison de Monaco…
As reported by Monaco Matin, complaints have multiplied since October, with customers describing unpaid refunds, missing deliveries and products that never arrived, or arrived incomplete or unusable.
Several buyers report placing orders worth more than €100, receiving confirmation emails, then hearing nothing further. Others say the items delivered bore little resemblance to what was advertised, citing poor quality, incorrect sizing and strong chemical smells. Attempts to contact customer service allegedly went unanswered, while some customers say they were blocked after requesting explanations or refunds.
The use of the name “Monaco” appears to have reassured buyers, giving the impression of a local or luxury-linked brand. However, checks revealed no physical presence in the Principality despite a listed address at the Métropole Shopping Centre. Investigations instead pointed to an opaque structure spanning several countries, with links to Cyprus, the United States and Samoa, and a pattern of rapidly opening and closing domain names.
Adding to the confusion, one of the sites is accused of copying the name and content of another similarly branded platform operating from Belgium. Yet that company, too, has attracted negative reviews and lacks clear legal notices, raising further doubts about its practices and legitimacy.
Consumer watchdog sites now list both platforms among suspected online scams. The case serves as a reminder that the use of prestigious place names offers no guarantee of reliability. Shoppers are urged to check legal notices carefully, verify company registrations and be cautious when a brand’s digital footprint raises more questions than answers.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema
