At present, people are getting cheated by e-commerce websites. They order products and pay online through UPI, but they do not get the product or even if they get it, it is completely different/used/or useless. If you too have been cheated by an e-commerce website, then today I will tell you how you can quickly identify e-commerce fraud and save your hard-earned money from these fraudsters.
Well guys… you are not alone in this world who got scammed by an eCommerce platform. As this is the digital era, everybody prefers to shop online. The new age people don’t prefer to shop offline at stores because they think it is a waste of time. So many fraudsters take benefit of this opportunity and they scam people by showing them premium quality products at very low prices or using the buy 1 get 1 offers.
A male buyer on social media who got scammed states that:
A few days back I ordered a premium quality product from a website and paid money via the UPI, but upon unboxing I was shocked as the product was completely different. I ordered the female Kurtis in the festival season from an eCommerce clothing site, but the shop owner delivered male pajamas of very cheap quality.
The same incident was reported by a female user, she stated:
I was scrolling through reels on Instagram and suddenly I got ads of Buy 1 Get 1 Kurtis in just Rs 1999. I checked the other categories like Dresses, Sarees, and Suits and I ordered a pair of Kurtis at rupee 1999. I chose the COD option and upon delivery, I paid Rs 1999 to the courier provider. But I was stunned when I opened the packet… in place of Kurtis I found 2 lowers and you won’t believe it, both of them were of very cheap quality.
How These E-commerce Scammers Accomplish This Task?
These people are very clever and they don’t show actual details on their website. Instead, they show only the product with very low prices like Rs 999 or Rs 1999. Their main agenda is to trap users by showing low prices and premium quality and they make it possible with the help of a website and ads campaign.
First, they launch a website
These types of scammers first launch a website. They create a lucrative website where several products are added. Especially, they target girls or housewives who watch reels or videos on Instagram or Facebook.
On this website, they will make you believe that they are a genuine person and for this, they use tag lines like – 100% Refund Guarantee, If You Don’t Love The Product Within 5 to 7 Days. CASH ON DELIVERY etc etc.
So like a normal e-commerce website, this website will look fine and very genuine at first look but that’s not right the real face and I will tell you later in this article why this website is not what they are showing.
Ads on Social Media Platforms like Instagram or Facebook
Second, they run ad campaigns on social media apps like Instagram or Facebook where Insta users watch these ads and they come into a trap. As the ads look very genuine and verified, people click on them and once they land on the website, they order the products which look very premium + they offer a COD option.
Now here… many users place their orders and the website notifies users by email that we received your order and it will be shipped soon.
Delivery Day
They keep you informed about the product status and on the delivery day they send a message and inform the product will be delivered soon this is the delivery partner number and this is the PIN. Even they give you the tracking ID which you can use to track where is your courier.
Now here they accomplish the scam, they come to you’re doorstep, you pay money via cash or UPI and when you open the product it is completely different.
This happens and it happens to everyone. Many people have been cheated by this trick in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata!
Spot and Avoid eCommerce Fraud
But what you can do now…? The courier boy is gone, you already sent money via UPI to that delivery boy by verifying the UPI PIN.
In short, you got scammed… But if you want to protect yourself from such an incident in the future, then you have to pay attention to some things, and these are:
Don’t buy from untrusted Websites
These websites are very similar to brand websites and don’t just place orders. Look at the domain, look at the pages, check the contact page, check the review of that website on Google, check the GST number, and check the address and phone number.
Many of these fraud websites, don’t provide such details, and one such example is this website named: https://www.libascollection.shop/ where the address is incomplete, the contact number is 123456789, the email is basic or dummy, no details regarding the GST number + the website is not even indexed on Google.
All necessary details that are quite important for an eCommerce website are missing from these types of websites. You need to checkout and once you are okay with those details proceed and place an order and select the payment option as COD.
Premium Branded Product at Low Price
If the price on these websites is too low compared to the brand website, then be alert – this is a scam and they will never deliver this premium product. Hence direct advice turn the website off now!
Cash on Delivery (COD) Option – Adds Trust
Though you have opted for the COD option, they can still scam you. Don’t make any payment, first, check the sender’s address and phone number on the envelope. If something is fishy, don’t accept the delivery. Additionally, you can open the packet on the spot and if the product is genuine pay money via UPI or cash otherwise, reject and don’t accept delivery.
What if you got scammed?
If still someone scammed you and you have realized it later, you can do a few things to get your money back. In cash, the return might not be possible but if you have made the payment online via UPI, then you may get a refund as then receiver details can be tracked easily.
So, to get the refund in case of fraud… you can notify to support team of banks like SBI, Kotak, ICICI, etc. You can raise your concern by dialing toll-free number or send all details via email.
Here’s an email format that I used to contact my bank….
Subject: Request for UPI Transaction Reversal Due to Fraud
Dear [Support Team],
I hope this message finds you well. I recently made a UPI transaction of ₹2000 from my UPI ID: 9896xxxxx68@xxxupi to q487xxx14@ybl. Unfortunately, the recipient turned out to be a fraudster. The person delivered an entirely wrong, outdated, and used product—essentially a piece of garbage—after taking my money.
The UPI transaction ID is 428xxxxx3. I request your assistance in reversing this transaction as I’ve been scammed. I’m feeling very distressed by this experience and your support is my last hope to resolve this issue.
Please guide me on the steps you can take to help recover my money.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
This is the format you can use to submit a complaint to NPCI, your bank, RBI, or the Cyber Police. You can also notify about this fraud on the cyber portal and explain everything in detail with the transaction amount, UPI transaction ID, UPI ID, and relevant images or screenshots.
Final Words
Online scams are a big thread and many fraudsters do it uniquely. Each day they come up with new techniques which a common many can’t crack or understand easily. Hence the best thing is always to shop from trusted stores like Flipkart, amazon, myntra, snapdeal, and meesho. Never ever shop on untrusted websites having .shop, .online, or .offer domain extensions.
Last check the details on your courier too while receiving the package. If possible, open the package in from of the delivery boy or delivery girl. If the product is right, then make the final payment else don’t accept the order.
In case you feel you got scammed, inform the banking team, raise your concern on twitter and tag RBI, respective bank, UPI team and also lodge an FIR at the nearest police station or cyber cell. You will get help and if you are lucky will get the refund in your bank account with in few days!
Has something happened to you? How did you get your refund? Please let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share it with others!
