Shopping
Fake shopping and delivery pages
Deeply discounted products on a lookalike site, or a delivery SMS with a small 'redelivery fee'.
Warning signs
- Price far below market
- Payment only via UPI to a personal number
Who is targeted most
Festival-season shoppers and anyone expecting a delivery.
How the fraud works
Lookalike storefronts are advertised through social media, with prices far below market and a countdown timer. Payment is accepted only through UPI to a personal handle, or through a payment page that also captures your card details.
The delivery variant is smaller and far more common: an SMS about a failed delivery asking for a small redelivery fee. The amount is trivial; the purpose is to capture the card and OTP you enter.
The usual sequence
- 1An ad or forwarded link leads to a store with unusually low prices.
- 2Reviews and urgency timers are shown on the page.
- 3Payment is only via UPI to a personal ID, or via a card page.
- 4Either nothing arrives, or the card details are reused elsewhere.
- 5Support numbers on the site go unanswered.
How to protect yourself
- Check the exact spelling of the domain before paying.
- Refuse to pay a legitimate-sounding fee of ₹5 or ₹20 to a courier by link.
- Prefer cash on delivery or known platforms for unfamiliar sellers.
Comment rules
- Do not share bank details, OTPs, card numbers, Aadhaar or complaint numbers.
- Do not name or accuse individuals. Make official reports at cybercrime.gov.in.
- Comments are reviewed before publication. Never pay anyone who offers to recover your money.