MHA cyber wing warns online shoppers against fake websites, payment link scams

Alarmed by the sharp rise in complaints, the cyber wing of the Union Ministry of Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has issued a nationwide advisory outlining a set of dos and don’ts for online shoppers.

Officials said the rapid expansion of e-commerce platforms and the lure of massive discounts have created fresh opportunities for cybercriminals, who are now using sophisticated tactics to target buyers.

According to sources, cybercriminals are designing fake websites that closely resemble legitimate e-commerce platforms. These sites often advertise expensive electronic gadgets and branded products at unbelievably low prices to attract customers. Once payment is made, either the product is never delivered or buyers receive empty boxes. In several cases, the fraudulent websites disappear completely within days.

Fraudsters are also circulating fake payment links through WhatsApp, SMS and email. These links are crafted to appear genuine and closely mimic trusted e-commerce platforms. Cyber officials said that once users enter their card details or UPI credentials, the information is instantly accessed by criminals.

To stay safe, the cyber wing has advised consumers to shop only through authorised websites or reputed e-commerce platforms, preferably the brand’s official website. Buyers have also been asked to carefully verify website URLs, ensure the presence of “HTTPS” and the padlock symbol in the address bar, and avoid websites containing spelling mistakes or suspicious domain names.

The advisory further recommends recording videos while unboxing delivered products, as such recordings can serve as evidence in case of disputes. People have also been cautioned against downloading screen-sharing applications such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer at the request of unknown persons, as these apps can provide fraudsters remote access to devices and banking information.