Telangana Cyber Security Bureau cautions people against fake sale offers
Hyderabad, July 13
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has advised citizens to remain vigilant against cybercriminals exploiting flash sales, season discounts, clearance sales, and exclusive online offers to defraud unsuspecting shoppers.
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel said on Monday that fraudsters create fake websites, impersonate popular e-commerce brands, circulate misleading advertisements on social media, and send fraudulent links through WhatsApp, SMS, and email, offering products at unrealistically low prices.
She said the fraudsters have common modus operandi. These include fake advertisements offering heavy discounts on branded products, fake websites resembling genuine e-commerce platforms, social media pages promoting "Limited Time Sale" or "Stock Clearance" offers, fraudulent links shared through WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, or email.
The fraudsters also send requests for advance payment through UPI, QR codes, or direct bank transfers. They also use fake customer care numbers that collect payment or banking details.
According to the TGCSB director, red flags include prices that seem too good to be true, unverified websites or newly created domains, requests for payment outside the official shopping platform, no customer reviews or seller ratings, urgent messages such as "Only a few items left" or "Offer expires in 10 minutes and sellers insisting on advance payment without secure checkout.
Shikha Goel suggested that citizens take safety measures. The citizens have been advised to shop only through trusted and official e-commerce platforms, verify the website URL before making any purchase, avoid clicking on shopping links received through unsolicited messages, check seller ratings, reviews, and return policies.
She also advised people to never make payments directly to personal bank accounts or unknown UPI IDs and to use secure payment methods offered by the platform.
"If you become a victim, immediately contact your bank and report the fraudulent transaction. Preserve screenshots, payment receipts, order details, and conversations. Report the incident through the National Cybercrime Helpline - 1930. Lodge a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in without delay," the TGCSB director said.
"Cybercriminals exploit attractive discounts and limited-time offers to lure victims. If an offer appears too good to be true, verify before you buy. Think before you click. Verify before you pay," she added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is timely advice. I've seen these "too good to be true" offers pop up on Facebook Marketplace all the time. The scammers are getting more sophisticated with fake websites that look identical to Amazon or Flipkart. Always check the URL and never pay via direct UPI outside the platform.
Ek tip: Agar koi seller aapko "limited time offer" bolke jaldi payment karne ko bole toh samajh jao ki kuch gadbad hai. Main hamesha COD prefer karta hoon jab tak trusted seller na ho. Aur haan, kisi ko bhi OTP ya banking details mat do.
Very helpful article! My mother almost paid Rs 5000 for a "50% off" saree deal she saw on Instagram. I had to stop her at the last moment. These scammers target housewives and elderly people brilliantly. We need more such warnings in regional languages too. Well done TGCSB! 👍
Good advisory but I wish they'd also focus on enforcement. Every week I see fake "Flipkart Big Billion Days" ads on WhatsApp groups. These fraudsters operate from call centres and are never caught. The police need to work with banks to freeze accounts immediately when fraud is reported. Otherwise awareness alone won't stop them.
Cyber safety tip from someone who got scammed before: Always use a credit card for online shopping if possible, not debit card or UPI directly. Credit cards offer better chargeback options. And for God's sake, don't save your card details on any site!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.