The online shopping market in India is growing rapidly. But with this same pace, so too is the world of fraud online shopping scam. In the past year alone, cases of online shopping fraud have increased by 40%, with the biggest hit being those who trust everything from social media to deep discount websites.
In this article, we’ve combined stories from victims, advice from cyber experts, and the latest scam methods to provide you with information that can help you make your next purchase safer.
What Exactly is an Online Shopping Scam?
When a fake website, Instagram/Facebook page, WhatsApp seller, or fake app shows you cheap products and takes your money, but then doesn’t ship them or sends fake/defective goods it’s called an online shopping scam.
In many cases, people:
- Money was deducted
- Didn’t receive an order confirmation
- Tracking number turned out to be fake
- Customer care was down
- The product was received but was fake or broken
This is a well planned digital fraud.
Most Common Online Shopping Scams (Most Reported in 2025)
1. Fake Websites Luring You With Huge Discounts
- These sites offer discounts of up to 80–90% (e.g., Nike shoes for ₹999).
- After receiving payment, the site disappears within a few days.
2. Instagram/Facebook Shop Scams
Hundreds of pages are selling cheap electronics, watches, and jewelry through ads every day.
- Blocked After Receiving Payment
- False “Delivery in 48 Hours” in DMs
- No Cash on Delivery
3. Fake Brand Stores
Scammers copy the sites of real brands and create:
- Lookalike URLs
- Copied Logo
- Fake HTTPS Padlock
Trusting these sites is extremely dangerous.
4. Parcel Delivery Scam
A link appears:
- “Your parcel is stuck, pay ₹50 to unlock it.”
As soon as you make the payment, your entire bank account is at risk.
5. Fake Tracking ID Scam
Many victims report that after payment, the scammer sends a false Tracking ID, which appears to be someone else’s parcel.
6. Fake Customer Care Scam
- Searching “Flipkart Customer Care” or “Meesho Customer Care” on Google reveals fake numbers.
- Remote Access Fraud begins as soon as the call is made.
Victims Tell Their Stories: Real Stories, Real Lessons
Piya (29) from Kanpur bought a bag on Instagram a prepaid payment of ₹1,999.
“Message replies stopped as soon as I sent the money. The page disappeared after three days.” Piya’s story is one of thousands.
Vipul, 52, from Delhi, bought an AC from a website “I saw an offer for ₹4,499 and thought it was a good deal. Later, I found out the site was shut down within four days.”
These stories have one thing in common greed, trust, and haste.
How to Identify if a Website/Page is Fake?
1. The domain seems too cheap or strange.
Example:
- nikeoffers-india.shop
- official-sale24.store
2. The English in About Us is broken or copy pasted.
3. There is no contact number or WhatsApp number.
4. There is no return/refund policy or only 2-3 lines.
5. Payment is prepaid only.
- No COD = 90% chance of a scam.
6. Reviews contain only 5 stars and all praise.
- These are bot reviews.
7. Bank details on the checkout page. Private gateway. This is the most dangerous sign.
How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams?
1. Prioritize COD
- 70% of scams are detected with prepaid payments.
2. Check the site’s URL carefully.
- Even a lock (HTTPS) that says “Secure” can be fake.
How to identify it?
- URL too long
- Brand name misspelled
- Domain .shop/.top/.store
3. Never trust social media ads.
- Instagram Ads = Most Reported Scams (2025).
4. Buy on Only Verified Apps/Websites
- Go only to the official app/website of Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Ajio or any official brand.
5. Check Seller/Website Reviews on Google.
6. Immediately treat very cheap offers as a ‘Fraud Alert.’
- If an iPhone is listed for ₹9,999 it’s a scam. Just remember this.
7. Always get the customer care number from the official website.
8. Always check the tracking ID on the courier’s official website.
9. Never make payments by scanning a QR code.
10. Check your bank statements regularly.
- Report suspicious transactions immediately.
What to do if you have been Scammed Online Shopping?
1. Keep payment screenshots and chat proofs safe. These will help with filing an FIR.
2. Immediately report the fraudulent transaction to your bank.
3. File a case on the Cyber Crime Portal. https://cybercrime.gov.in
4. Report the social media page/website.
5. File a complaint with the payment app. Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm or Other.
6. If you receive threats from customer care, report it to the police.
Expert Advice
Scammers have become extremely professional these days. But a little caution can save you thousands of rupees. Online shopping is a convenience, but carelessness can turn it into a danger. A simple – “If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”
FAQ’s of Online Shopping Scam
Q1. What is Online Shopping Scam?
When a fake website, social media page or fake app takes money by showing huge discounts and does not deliver the goods or sends fake goods, then it is called Online Shopping Scam.
Q2. How to Identify a Fake Online Shopping Website?
If the website has excessive discounts, bad language, customer care with WhatsApp number, no COD, suspicious URL or fake reviews then it is 90% fake site.
Q3. How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams?
Choose COD, check the URL, don’t trust social media ads, buy only from verified apps/official websites, and consider very cheap deals as scams.
Q4. What to Do if you Get Scammed Online?
Keep all screenshots safe, report to the bank, file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in, and also send a fraud report in the payment app.