Shopping and delivery scams
22 guides. Each explains one scam: how it works, an example, the red flags and the steps to take.
Fake Online Store Advertised on Instagram and FacebookA slick shop with huge discounts appears in your feed, takes your UPI or card payment and ships…Instagram Boutique Seller Asking for Advance PaymentA small Instagram page sells sarees, jewellery or gadgets by DM, takes an advance by UPI and then…Cash on Delivery Parcel Swap and Wrong-Product TrickA delivery person asks for cash for a parcel you never ordered, or a package contains a swapped…OLX Buyer Sends a QR Code to Receive PaymentA buyer on OLX or Facebook Marketplace says 'scan this QR to get paid' and your account is debited…Army Officer Selling Goods on a MarketplaceA seller in an army or police uniform lists a cheap bike or car 'due to transfer' and asks for…Fake Product Review and Rating Task ScamYou are paid a few rupees to rate products, then asked to deposit money for bigger tasks that…Fake Customer Care Number Found on Google SearchYou search for a company's customer care number and land on a fake listing run by a scammer who…Refund Scam with a Rs 1 Test Payment LinkAfter you cancel an order, a caller says a refund link needs a small test payment first. The link…Fake Delivery Address Update and Redelivery FeeAn SMS says your parcel is on hold because the address is incomplete and asks for a small fee on a…Lookalike Brand Website with a Clearance SaleA site that copies a famous brand's name with one letter changed offers a huge sale. It takes…Fake Order Confirmation and Cancel Request CallAn SMS or call says an expensive order was placed in your name and offers a cancel link. The…Flat Rental Token Advance ScamA too-cheap flat or PG listing asks for a token to hold it, then the 'owner' disappears. See how…WhatsApp Group Reseller and Bulk Product OfferA WhatsApp group promises wholesale prices and easy resale profits for an upfront payment, then…Gift Card and Recharge Code Payment ScamA caller or chat contact asks you to buy gift vouchers and read out the codes, claiming it fixes a…PG and Hostel Booking Advance ScamA PG or hostel listing with cheap rent asks for a booking advance, then vanishes or shows a…Second-Hand Car Sale Deposit ScamA used car listed far below market asks for a token and a transport fee, then disappears. Learn…Cricket and Event Ticket Resale ScamTickets for a sold-out match or concert offered on social media may be fake or sold many times.…Gaming ID and Top-Up Sale ScamCheap in-game currency or a high-level ID for sale leads to a stolen login or lost advance. See…Pilgrimage and Holiday Package Booking ScamA cheap pilgrimage or holiday package takes an advance, then the hotel and travel bookings do not…Fake Land and Plot Seller Advance ScamA seller offers a plot or flat at a low price, takes a booking advance, and the property belongs…Electric Vehicle Dealership Booking ScamA deal on a popular electric scooter or car asks for a booking amount from a fake dealer or copied…Wedding Vendor Advance Booking ScamA wedding photographer, caterer or hall offers a discounted package for an advance, then vanishes…
Five habits that help with any of these
- Never share an OTP, UPI PIN, card PIN or CVV with anyone, including someone who says they are from the bank.
- Do not tap links in unexpected messages; open the official app or type the website yourself.
- Call back on the number printed on your card, bill or official app, not the one that contacted you.
- Be careful when someone creates a deadline or asks you to keep the matter secret.
- If money has moved, call 1930 at once and report at cybercrime.gov.in; the first hours matter most.
Check it before you tap or pay
Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.
Download for AndroidWhat the app does
Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.