Fake E-Commerce Scam:
🔹 Short Note :
Fake E-Commerce Fraud means the criminals who create fake shopping websites or social media pages and attract people with cheap deals. They take the money but no product is given and no refund is made.
🔹 Detailed Explanation :
English:
A fake e-commerce scam basically is one in which the fraudsters impersonate the e-commerce, either selling the products through the fake e-commerce websites, apps or social media pages. These bogus channels offer over the top discounts on cell phones, garments, electronics or the branded products so as to attract the customers.
After the customers place the order and pay, the item is either not delivered. At times, the extremely low-quality or the totally different product is sent. The customer care numbers go unawares, the websites get disappeared and the refund promises turn out to be cheats.
These types of frauds are commonly promoted through Instagram ads, Facebook pages, WhatsApp messages, and fake Google ads.
Hindi :
Fake e-commerce scam me scammer ek fake shopping website ya Instagram/Facebook page banata hai jahan par wo log branded products ko heavy discount par dikhate hain, jaise ki “90% off” ya “limited time offer”.
Jab user payment karta hai to ya to product kabhi deliver nahi hota, ya fir bilkul ghatia ya different product bhej diya jata hai. Customer care number band ho jata hai aur website kuch din me disappear ho jaati hai.
🔹 Main Conditions
- Page or website is a stranger or newly created
- Unrealistic discounts are given
- Cash on Delivery option is not available
- Missing proper address, GST number, or contact details
- No answer or fake tracking after payment
🔹 Example
Seeing a website’s Instagram ad, Pooja decided to order branded shoes for ₹999. After the payment, she was given a tracking link but neither the product was delivered nor Pooja got any reply from customer care. The site was down after a few days.
🔹 Key Legal Points
- Fake e-commerce piracy is a kind of fraud
- IPC Section 420 (Cheating) is applicable
- Online fraud is punishable under the IT Act
- Fake ads and impersonation are also offences
- Upon a complaint, a bank transaction can be frozen
🔹 Nyay Neeti Advice
- Look up reviews before making a purchase from an unknown website
- Do not rely on unrealistic discounts
- Choose Cash on Delivery
- Check the GST, address, and return policy of a website
- If duped, immediately dial 1930 Cyber Helpline
- File a report about the fake pages so that the others are saved from being victims.
