Mumbai: Scammers are using fake online shopping websites to dupe people of their hard-earned money, Mumbai Police revealed as it busted a racket recently. ALSO READ | FM Nirmala Sithraman Launches Union Budget Mobile Application, Know The Features Here
While online shopping became the preferred mode of purchase amid the Coronavirus spread, scammers saw their opportunity to dupe people by using such platforms. While online activities touched a record-hike in 2020, even online fraud cases became much more rampant than earlier.
In the latest case, Mumbai Police arrested an IT expert from Gujarat in its efforts to bust a fake online shopping racket. Over 22,000 people have been cheated by this fraud and the amount lost is reported to be more than Rs 70 lakh.
"Don't Fall In The Dark Web Of Fake Sites!" Mumbai Police's tweet on its official handle read.
Here are the shopping websites that have been exposed as being fake:
- shoppiie.com
- white-stones.in
- jollyfashion.in
- fabricmaniaa.com
- takesaree.com
- assuredkart.in
- republicsaleoffers.myshopify.com
- fabricwibes.com
- efinancetix.com
- thefabricshome.com
- thermoclassic.site
- kasmira.in
These fake websites are duping people by claiming to sell household items, clothes, and other such daily-use products at an attractive discount.
How To Protect Yourself From Online Fraud
People need to be especially careful as many other portals have come up with their Republic Day sale in this period and hence it is important for buyers to distinguish between real and fake offers. Make your purchase decision by shopping on trusted websites as the greed of getting the cheapest rates can cause you to lose the entire amount you spend without getting anything in return.
Comments on websites can be bought and faked so don't rely on them entirely - shop from popular websites, when purchasing from a website for the first time, ask around in your contacts about their experience and after place an order only after getting satisfactory responses.
In case you become a victim of online fraud, contact the nodal cyber police department at the earliest.