Manisha, a friend, wanted to buy an extravagant outfit for a family wedding. She found some very good outfits on a reputable e-shop. However, most were a little out of her budget. So she decided to go bargain hunting and, using the photo of the dress, she searched other online shops to check if it was available for a lower price. She found an e-shop selling a similar-looking dress at nearly 60%-70% lower than the reputed e-shop. So she immediately placed an order and paid for it. After waiting for 15 days more than the promised delivery date, there is no trace of the dress and the e-shop itself has vanished into thin air!
Let us be honest — who does not love a bargain and the ease of online shopping? Whether it is a new pair of shoes, a birthday gift, or your weekly groceries, everything is just a tap away. However, problems arise when you fail to stick with reputable online shops or e-shops. This itself is no guarantee, as there are numerous fake sellers on highly reputed e-shops as well, but payment and delivery are usually not an issue. When a buyer goes bargain-hunting, she can end up losing money as well as financial and personal information. This is exactly what happened with Manisha.
Fake e-shops are a growing threat that is helped by the ease of e-shopping. These fraudulent websites look like your favourite online retailers but are designed to cheat you out of your hard-earned money.
You are not alone if you have been tempted by a deal that seemed too good to pass up. Cybercrime units and consumer courts have seen a spike in complaints against these shady platforms. From fake electronics to products that never show up, the stories are as frustrating as they are common.
According to the
Avast Gen Q4/2024 Threat Report, e-shop scams in the first quarter of 2025 were up 790% compared to the same period in 2024, as fraudsters rush to meet the growing demand for bargain alternatives. "The global spike in fake e-shops could be further fuelled by rising economic uncertainty, particularly around trade policy. With tariffs on Chinese imports reaching as high as 145% and retaliatory duties from China climbing to 125%, many consumers may hunt for pre-tariff prices on everyday goods. Cybercriminals could exploit this shift."
During the 2024 holiday season alone, Avast also detected over 80,000 fake online stores — many of which vanished or rebranded just as quickly as they appeared. This economic backdrop has created the perfect storm: a flood of counterfeit fashion boutiques and too-good-to-be-true deals, all designed to exploit shoppers who are just trying to avoid rising costs, it added.
So, how do you protect yourself? Let us walk through what you need to know.
Anatomy of a Fake E-shop
Imagine clicking on an ad offering a designer bag for half the price — and ending up on a site that looks professional and trustworthy. That is exactly what cybercriminals want. These fake e-commerce websites are designed to mimic real brands. Some even create new names with flashy designs, fake reviews and slick social media pages.
Here is what to look out for:
- Massive discounts that seem unbelievable.
- Time-limited deals pressuring you to act fast.
- Glowing but fake customer testimonials.
- Prepaid payments only — no cash on delivery.
- Missing contact details or vague return policies.
- After payment, one of three things usually happens: Nothing arrives. You get something cheap and totally unrelated. The website disappears without a trace.
Red Flags To Watch Out for
Over time, you will get better at spotting the signs.
Here are a few that should make you pause:
1. Unrealistic prices: An ultra watch worth Rs50,999 offered at Rs34,000, that too with a maximum retail price of Rs69,999? Unless it is from a certified clearance sale, steer clear.
2. Odd domain names: Check the web address carefully. Is there a misspelling or strange suffix like .xyz or .shop? That is suspicious.
3. Sloppy website design: Typos, bad grammar and low-resolution (unclear or pixelated) images scream scam.
4. No secure payment: Make sure the URL starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon.
5. Missing details: No goods and services tax (GST) number on the invoice or bill? No proper contact info? These are major red flags.
6. Questionable reviews: If reviews look fake or too perfect, do a quick Google search to see what others are saying.
How Fraudsters Trap You
You have probably seen those slick ads on social media for trending sneakers or air fryers at jaw-dropping prices. That is just one trick.
- Fake ads: These often pop up on Facebook or Instagram, targeting bargain hunters.
- Bogus tracking info: Some fraudsters send fake courier updates to make it seem like your order is on the way.
- Influencer bait: Some even use low-tier influencers or run sponsored-looking posts to seem legitimate.
- Phishing scams: You may get emails asking you to click links to 'track' your order — but these could steal your data.
How To Check if a Website Is Safe
Here is a checklist you can follow before clicking that 'Buy Now' button:
1. Google it: Type the website name plus 'scam' or 'review'. You might be surprised what turns up.
2. Dig into the 'About Us': Is it vague or riddled with errors? That is a clue.
3. Test the contact info: Call or email them. If you get no response, that tells you everything.
4. Check the domain age: Use tools like Who.is to see when the site was created. If it is brand new, be cautious.
5. Stick to trusted names: When in doubt, buy from well-known platforms or sellers with verified ratings.
What To Do if You Have Been Scammed
First off, do not panic. There are steps you can take to limit the damage:
1. Report it: Head to www.cybercrime.gov.in and file a complaint. Gather all proof, including emails, payment slips, and screenshots.
2. Inform your bank: If you paid by card or UPI, your bank might be able to reverse the transaction.
3.
File a consumer complaint: Use the e-justice and grievance redressal through information technology and innovation (e-Jagriti) portal
https://e-jagriti.gov.in/ or your local district consumer commission. If you do not know anything about the technicalities and different documents and affidavits that need to be submitted while filing your complaint, it is better to hire a lawyer.
4. Warn others: Share your story online. Your experience can save someone else from falling into the same trap.
How you can stay safe while shopping online
- Do not trust random ads — verify the seller before clicking.
- Prefer cash on delivery, especially on unknown sites.
- Use digital wallets or virtual cards with spending limits.
- Do not let urgency push you into a bad decision.
- Keep your passwords strong and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Remember, online shopping should be fun, not stressful. And while the cybercriminals are getting smarter, so can we.
Just take a moment to double-check before you pay, trust your gut, and remember: if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
