Scam Fake shopping sites: the ₹9,999 iPhone
A 90% discount, a brand-new website and 'prepaid only' means the product will never arrive.
Test yourself: how many would you spot?Mega Diwali Sale
iPhone 16 at just ₹9,999! Only 50 left, sale ends tonight. Prepaid orders only: iphone-diwali-sale.shop
SCAM
How it works
- Ads or forwards push an unbelievable deal.
- The site looks real but was made days ago.
- You pay in advance, and nothing is delivered.
Red flags
- Discounts that are too good to be true
- Unusual domains (.shop, .store) and no contact details
- Prepaid only, no cash on delivery
Stay safe
- Buy from stores you already know
- Search the site name plus 'scam' before paying
- Prefer cash on delivery or protected payment methods
Already happened? Act fast
- Call 1930National Cyber Crime Helpline. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping the money.
- cybercrime.gov.inFile an online complaint. Keep screenshots and transaction IDs.
- Call your bankUse the number on your card to block cards, UPI or the account.
- Report on ChakshuReport fraud calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages at sancharsaathi.gov.in.
Questions
How can I check if a shopping site is real?
Look for a long history, real contact details and independent reviews. New sites with huge discounts are a warning sign.