'Most Expensive Can of Tuna Ever': A Woman Is Going Viral After Receiving a Can of Albacore Instead of Her Luxury Online Order There's been an increase in online fraud in the retail industry "particularly related to returns," according to a rep from Saks Fifth Avenue.

By Emily Rella

Sometimes, what we order online is not what we receive.

In a clip viewed over 1.4 million times, a woman says she joined TikTok to share how she ordered a Dolce & Gabbana ashtray from Saks Fifth Avenue, which retails for $275, and instead received something quite fishy.

@howdyfolks72 @Saks Fifth Avenue ♬ original sound - howdyfolks

When she opened her order, a branded, black Dolce & Gabbana box, she found a can of tuna.

"When I opened it … this is what I found," she tells viewers, pulling out the can. "A can of albacore tuna. And like it's kind of hard to see but there's a ring in the foam like it's been there and you can definitely see it in the lid … This is the most f****** expensive can of tuna I've ever bought."

In a statement to TODAY, Saks said the error was part of an online shopping fraud trend involving returns and confirmed that the order had been replaced.

"We take our customer experience very seriously. Across the retail industry, there has been an increase in online fraud, particularly related to returns," a Saks representative told TODAY. "Luxury continues to be a target given its high price points, and as such, we have implemented more rigorous steps in our return process, including additional reviews and stronger authentication. Our highly automated fulfillment centers manage millions of shipments every year, but it is not acceptable for even a small number of our customers to have this experience."

Viewers were dumbfounded at the shopper's discovery, with many sharing tales of incorrect online orders.

Related: 5 Steps to Make the Most of a Product Return

"This happened to me," one viewer wrote. "Ordered Loewe sneakers from Saks and got a random jacket. Not quite tuna fish LOL. Customer service was great."

"This is the third video I've seen this week of an insane customer experience at Saks," another pointed out. "What on earth is going on?"

A survey by Appriss Retail and the National Retail Federation estimated that 13.7% of returns, or $101 billion worth, were a scam in 2023. Customers returned stolen items or "junk" — like in the TikToker's case, a can of tuna — instead of their orders or claimed to have never received the order (but did).

"In cases where fraud is on the rise, like this year, what we've seen in the data, retailers are forced to, at minimum, change their policies slightly to accommodate for that potential fraud and abuse," said Michael Osborne, CEO of Appriss Retail, per CNBC. "It does increase their costs and essentially erodes their margin."

Saks Fifth Avenue did not immediately respond to Entrepreneur's request for comment.

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Employee Experience & Recruiting

5 Unconventional Ways to Boost Remote Work Culture and Enhance Productivity

Five innovative approaches to boost employee engagement and appreciation in remote work settings, focusing on improving work-life balance, minimizing burnout and cultivating a positive, productive atmosphere for remote teams.

Business News

'My Back Already Hurts': Critics Think Southwest Airlines' Newly Redesigned Seats Are Too 'Thin'

Southwest Airlines debuted its new RECARO seating for passengers last week.

Business News

Southwest Airlines Is Making It Easier To Fly For Free With a Friend — Here's How to Get the Deal

The carrier's Companion Pass is now a credit card perk for a limited time.

Leadership

Stop Wasting Your Grind — Why Having a Growth Mindset is the Answer to Hustle Culture

As entrepreneurs and the workforce as a whole continue to evolve past hustle culture and appreciate what it feels like to have more balance, here are some ways to transition into this growth phase and still feel you are making strides.

Living

3 Hacks That Can Help You Get High-Quality Matches on Dating Apps, According to the Lead Engineer Behind a Very Exclusive One

Amanda Bradford, founder, CEO and lead engineer of selective dating app The League, knows what goes on behind the scenes — and how to land the dates you want.

Business News

Thieves Mysteriously Steal 200-Foot-Tall Radio Tower

A radio tower and all related equipment were reportedly stolen in Jasper, Alabama, last week.