Beware of Copycats
Beware of Copycats

Beware of Copycats

Beware of Copycats: How We’re Protecting BlackOpsToys and Our Community

Hey, Sully here—joined as always by my better half and partner-in-everything, Jennifer. This blog post is one we hoped we’d never have to write. But here we are. The reason? Copycats. Not the kind you collect. The kind that scam, deceive, and damage real small businesses like ours. So beware and read on. 

Recently, a copycat website popped up impersonating BlackOpsToys. And we’re not talking about a casual knockoff. This site is using our exact business name, copying our product images and listings word-for-word, and offering products at prices that seem too good to be true. Spoiler alert: they are.

The Fake Site—And Why It’s a Big Deal

Let’s get straight to it. This imposter site looks almost legit. It shows up in Google searches when people look for “Black Ops Toys.” But the prices are suspiciously low, the contact info is nonexistent or vague, and worst of all—they’re taking people’s money and not shipping anything. That’s theft. Plain and simple.

The real BlackOpsToys website is BlackOpsToys.com. We’re based in Hillsboro, Oregon, and we’ve been doing this for more almost two decades. We put our names, our faces, and our hearts into everything we sell. That fake site? It’s trying to cash in on all of it, and it’s hurting both our business and our community.

Why These Sites Are So Dangerous

  • 🚩 They look real to a casual buyer.
  • 💸 They take your money and never send anything.
  • 📉 They erode trust in the real brand (that’s us!).
  • ⛔ They’re nearly impossible to shut down, especially when based overseas.

We’ve seen this before. Years ago, international scam sites scraped our entire inventory, copied photos, and started luring customers with fake discounts. We were able to warn our community, but the damage was done for some collectors who lost money. That’s why we’re speaking up again—loud and clear.

How You Can Spot a Fake

There are a few red flags to look for if you’re unsure whether you’re on the real site:

  • ✅ Check the URL. Our ONLY website is BlackOpsToys.com.
  • ✅ Check our socials. Our verified Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube all link directly to the real site.
  • ✅ Check for contact info. We post our Oregon address and have real customer service support.
  • ❌ Too-good-to-be-true prices? That’s a scam. We price fairly and consistently.
  • ❌ No shipping policy? Big red flag.

Why Search Engines Make It Worse

The worst part? These scam sites sometimes rank high on Google. That’s right—someone searching for our store might land on the fake one first. Search engines aren’t always great at policing this kind of fraud. That’s why SEO, brand management, and customer education are more important than ever.

We’re Fighting Back

We’ve filed complaints. We’ve reported the site. But international scams are slippery. So, we’re doing what we do best—connecting with our community. Through blog posts like this, social updates, and video episodes, we’re making sure you know exactly where to find us and how to spot the fakes.

What You Can Do to Help

  • 📣 Spread the word. Share this post with fellow collectors.
  • 🛑 Report scam sites when you see them.
  • 💬 Engage with us on our official channels—Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and our email newsletter.
  • 🛒 Only shop from BlackOpsToys.com.

Coming Soon: Something to Get Excited About

We won’t let the scammers steal our thunder. That’s why we dropped a little teaser in our video—and we’ll share it here too. We’ve got a remastered version of the classic XP 001 figure coming soon. You heard that right. A fan favorite, reimagined with new parts, packaging, and upgrades. We’re pumped. And we want you to be the first to know when it drops. (Join the newsletter if you haven’t!)

This is Real Business. Real People. Real Products.

I started this as a hobby business from a hospital bed, selling figures on eBay one listing at a time. We’ve packed boxes late into the night. We’ve shared wins and failures. And we’ve created a space where collectors can geek out, get creative, and build something awesome.

So when someone tries to steal that? It’s personal. And we won’t take it lying down. We’ll keep showing up. We’ll keep posting. And we’ll keep protecting this community we love—one customer, one figure, one post at a time.

If You’ve Been Burned…

If you or someone you know has bought from a copycat site thinking it was us, please reach out. We can’t recover your money, but we can share your story, warn others, and help make sure it doesn’t happen again. No shame. Just support.

Thanks for Sticking With Us

To everyone who’s been part of this journey—from the early kitbashers to the new folks just discovering what 1/6 scale collecting is all about—we appreciate you more than you know. This isn’t just a store. It’s a story. One we’re still writing. And we’re so glad you’re part of it.

Stay safe. Stay smart. And stay tuned for what’s next.

– Sully & Jennifer