Jaipur, Oct.16,2025:Online Shopping Scam Alert 2025 begins with a stern warning from Rajasthan’s Cyber Crime Branch. With Diwali approaching and online purchases skyrocketing, fraudsters are stepping up their game. Under the guise of popular e-commerce platforms, they are deploying four major scam tactics to drain bank accounts, hijack OTPs, and mislead consumers. This Online Shopping Scam Alert 2025 is intended to arm you early — before the deals tempt you-
This advisory is backed by top officials. Rajasthan’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Cyber Crime, Vikas Sharma, has urged the public to spot and avoid these dangerous traps before damage is done.
Why This Year Is Riskier
In 2025, the digital boom across India means more people are shopping online than ever before. But this rapid growth also gives criminals a larger playground. The government reports that cyber fraud incidents rose from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024.
As internet penetration deepens and trust in UPI and digital payments grows, scammers are exploiting that trust. This year, they have refined their tools: fake apps, cloned websites, AI-generated messages, and social engineering. The stakes are higher in Diwali season, when festive urgency clouds caution.
Hence, this Online Shopping Scam Alert 2025 is both timely and essential.
The 4 Most Common Fraud Schemes
Below are the four principal ways scammers are ripping people off this festive season-
Fake E-commerce Websites & Apps
Scammers create websites or mobile apps that mimic trusted online stores. The interface looks real. You log in, add items, and enter payment details — but the money goes straight into the fraudster’s account.
They often register domain names very similar to reputed brands (for example, flipkart-xyz.com) and advertise them on social media or via SMS. Once your data is in, they’ll ask for OTP or banking details and vanish.
WhatsApp / Social Media Links & “Lucky Draws”
This trick is pervasive: via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or SMS, a “lucky draw” or “mega coupon” link is forwarded. It promises huge discounts, free gifts, or a chance to win something big. Curious users click. That link either takes them to a phishing site or a fake page requesting login or payment credentials.
These offers often look extremely attractive — just what people want during Diwali sales.
Refund / Order Cancellation Trick
In this scheme, fraudsters pretend your order was cancelled or ask for “refund verification.” They call or message, asking you to share OTP or bank details so they can “process refund.” Instead, they use that data to siphon money.
They may also coax you into clicking on a “refund adjustment link” that leads to a phishing site.
Impersonated Customer Care / Fake Helpline
Scammers impersonate the customer care numbers of e-commerce platforms. They may use spoofed caller IDs or fake numbers found via Google search. Then they ask for your bank account, card number, or OTP, claiming it’s required for resolving a complaint or refund.
Victims trust the conversation and unwittingly hand over sensitive credentials.
Real Cases & Local Incidents
Several incidents confirm these scams are happening now:
- Rajasthan Police recently warned about fake QR code fraud, where criminals overlay counterfeit QR codes onto legitimate ones in shops, diverting payments to their accounts.
- In Jaipur, two people were arrested for defrauding around ₹42 lakh through promises of investment returns and crypto schemes—though not exactly a shopping scam, the modus operandi of phishing and fake promises is similar.
- Earlier, Rajasthan police issued a broader advisory on malware and phishing attacks, especially via fake websites and malicious links.
- The central CBI recently cracked down on a ’digital arrest’ fraud network, highlighting the dark side of impersonation and psychological coercion.
These cases underscore that fraud is not just a warning—it’s reality.
Must-Do Safety Measures
After issuing this Online Shopping Scam Alert 2025, here are five critical steps you must take-
- Always use official websites or their genuine apps
Don’t trust third-party links. Visit verified URLs or app stores. Check that the domain is correct and secure (https, padlock).
- Never share your OTP / PIN / bank info
No legitimate service will ask you for OTP or banking credentials. Guard them as your most vital secret.
- Avoid clicking unknown or suspicious links
If a link seems too good to be true, don’t click. Even WhatsApp forwards can be traps.
- Verify customer care numbers only from official sources
Ignore Google search results or messages claiming they’re support. Use contact numbers listed on the official app or site only.
- Don’t fall for “lucky draw” or free gift offers when asked for personal data
A genuine brand won’t demand your bank details just to hand out freebies.
If you suspect fraud, immediately call 1930 (Indian Cybercrime Helpline) and file a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
How Authorities Are Responding
Rajasthan Cyber Crime Advisory
Rajasthan Police’s Cyber Crime Branch, led by DIG Vikas Sharma, has formally issued warnings about these four fraud tactics. Residents are urged to stay vigilant, apply the safety tips above, and report any suspicious attempt immediately.
National Helpline & Reporting Portals
India has set up 1930 as a toll-free number for cybercrime complaints.
The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal lets victims lodge incidents online.
These platforms improve cross state coordination, speed of response, and evidence gathering.
Recent Major Crackdowns
- Under Operation Chakra-V, CBI raided ~40 locations to sweep out operators of “digital arrest” frauds.
- In Rajasthan, authorities arrested a kingpin, Barkat Ali, for running a mule-account network involving nearly ₹20 crore.
- The CBI also uncovered shell firms laundering money via UPI and crypto. These efforts show authorities are not passive—they are fighting back.
Red Flags to Spot Immediately
Be alert if you see-
- Slightly altered URLs (extra letters, missing characters)
- Offers that require instant action (“click right now”)
- Messages pressuring you for OTP, PIN, or bank info
- Mismatch in app branding (logo blurry, spelling errors)
- “Customer care” numbers only shared via message or comment
- Urgent refund requests or order cancellations that demand input
Any one of these should prompt you to stop, verify, and not proceed.
What to Do if You Fall Victim
If fraud strikes-
- Lock your bank account immediately — contact the bank and ask to block transactions.
- Report to local cyber police / nearest station
- Lodge complaint via 1930 and the national portal
- Collect evidence — screenshot messages, URLs, call logs
- Follow up — ask for FIR, tracking number, progress
- Warn your contacts so they don’t become next victims
Quick action improves chances of recovery or tracing.
Stay Vigilant This Festive Season
This is your Online Shopping Scam Alert 2025 — it comes not to scare, but to empower. Diwali and festive shopping are joyous, but fraudsters are always lurking in the shadows.
Use the four fraud-scams list above as your checklist. Keep your wits about you. Don’t let excitement override caution. If ever in doubt — stop, verify, and act prudently.
