An appealing pair of sunglasses offered at a low price drew the interest of 23-year-old Yash while he browsed social media reels on a warm afternoon. The post resembled a well-known global brand, prompting him to order without hesitation for 399 rupees. The item never arrived, and attempts to follow the transaction failed because the listed address was false, leaving him disillusioned with online purchases.
Cybersecurity specialists note a rising trend in India where individuals encounter comparable deceptions amid the growth of rapid delivery services and social media commerce on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
Vaishnavi, whose name has been altered, described searching for a specific lipstick shade and finding an affordable alternative promoted in a video that claimed identical performance to the original brand. She ordered the product after viewing the demonstration, yet it failed to reach her.
Chaitanya, also identified differently, responded to an offer of two shirts for 400 rupees including delivery. The garments did not arrive weeks later, and the provided tracking link proved invalid.
Software developer Kavya, whose name is changed, purchased a kurti for 799 rupees via an Instagram reel. She later received a call from someone posing as a delivery agent requesting a refundable verification fee of 1,299 rupees. Over four days, she transferred a total of 49,235 rupees and received neither the item nor a refund.
Cyber expert Tushar Sharma observed that frauds previously centered on counterfeit sites or payment tricks. The current environment includes disputes on legitimate platforms where orders appear delivered without the buyer receiving them. These cases often involve intentional misuse of system weaknesses, such as premature delivery markings, fabricated confirmations, compromised one-time passwords, or altered delivery information. Digital commerce has expanded more rapidly than protective measures, allowing fraudsters to exploit speed and automation.
Dr. Sanjay Katkar of Quick Heal Technologies emphasized platform duties including verified seller registration, clear complaint processes, and traceable delivery records. He warned of parcel substitution, where buyers receive low-value items instead of ordered goods, complicating dispute resolution. Consumers are advised to pay cash only after inspecting parcels from unknown sellers. Tools such as Quick Heal AntiFraud.AI help identify suspicious patterns early.
Users should confirm seller legitimacy through website details, order confirmations, and contact information. All evidence, including screenshots of advertisements, payment records, and transaction receipts, must be preserved. Contact the seller via every available channel and seek updates or refunds. Absence of response within 48 to 72 hours often signals fraudulent activity. If payment occurred through
