Online Shopping Fraud

What is this scam?

Online shopping fraud targets Indians on e-commerce platforms, social media, and fake websites. Scammers create convincing fake shops — often cloning legitimate sites — or pose as sellers on legitimate platforms and disappear after receiving payment. OLX and Facebook Marketplace are particularly common venues for buyer-seller scams.

How it works — step by step

1. 1

   Fake e-commerce website clones a real site — same design, similar URL — victim pays and receives nothing.

2. 2

   Social media ads for premium products at huge discounts lead to scam websites.

3. 3

   OLX/Facebook seller requests advance payment — then disappears or sends counterfeit goods.

4. 4

   Army/defence officer scam: seller claims to be posting from a military posting and needs payment first.

🚩 Red flags — warning signs

• ⚠️Price significantly below market rate for a genuine product
• ⚠️Website URL is slightly different from the official site
• ⚠️Seller insists on payment outside the platform's official payment system
• ⚠️No physical address, no return policy, no verifiable contact number
• ⚠️Requests payment via UPI to a personal account rather than business account

✅ What to do if you've been targeted

1. 1Always verify the website URL carefully before entering payment details
2. 2Pay through official platform payment systems — not direct bank transfers
3. 3Check seller reviews and rating history before purchasing
4. 4If defrauded, report to cybercrime.gov.in and the Consumer Helpline: 1915
5. 5File chargeback claim with your bank or credit card company if paid by card

📋 Official resources & complaint portals

• →cybercrime.gov.in
• →Consumer Helpline: 1915
• →consumerhelpline.gov.in