Festive Online Shopping Scams: How Fake Offers and Websites Can Lead to Cyber Fraud

Festive online sales bring attractive discounts, but fake websites, misleading advertisements and fraudulent booking links can put shoppers at risk of financial losses and personal data theft.

Festive Online Shopping Scams: How to Stay Safe from Cyber Fraud

Fake Festive Offers Increase the Risk of Online Fraud

As the festive shopping season approaches, e-commerce platforms introduce major sales, special promotions and attractive discounts to draw customers. However, cybercriminals are also exploiting the increased demand to deceive shoppers through fraudulent offers and fake websites.

Scammers use counterfeit shopping portals, misleading social media advertisements, lookalike website addresses and unusually low prices to attract unsuspecting customers. These schemes can result in financial losses, stolen personal information and orders that are never delivered.

Fraudulent offers are not limited to clothing, electronics and household products. Hotel reservations, train and flight tickets, car rentals, dry fruits and festive firecrackers have also become potential targets for online scams.

Consumers should therefore verify every offer carefully before sharing personal details or making payments.

Fake Websites and Social Media Advertisements

Phishing remains a common method used by cybercriminals to steal money and sensitive information. Fraudsters create websites that imitate well-known shopping platforms and promote them through advertisements on social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram.

These advertisements often promise substantial discounts to encourage customers to make quick purchases. After payment, buyers may receive nothing, while their banking details or other personal information could be exposed.

An investigation by Cyber Alert identified a suspicious website resembling Flipkart that used the address big-deals-4.netify.app/sale/. Similar advertisements reportedly misused Meesho's logo to promote extremely cheap clothing packages, including three suits for ₹149 and three kurta sets for ₹199.

Some complainants reported that payments were transferred to accounts registered under unrelated names or general-store businesses rather than Meesho.

Such warning signs highlight why customers should confirm that an offer comes from an authorised seller before completing a transaction.

Fraudulent Offers on Dry Fruits and Festive Products

Cybercriminals are also taking advantage of the seasonal demand for dry fruits, firecrackers and other festive essentials.

One reported promotion offered four kilograms of dry fruits for just ₹239, a price that could encourage shoppers to make an impulsive purchase without checking the seller's credibility.

According to the information reported, Meta's Ad Library listed around 240 advertisements associated with a particular fraudulent offer campaign. These advertisements allegedly misled users and caused financial losses.

Consumers should be particularly cautious when an advertisement promises expensive products at prices that appear unrealistically low. They should also avoid transferring money to unfamiliar accounts simply because an offer is advertised on a popular social media platform.

Google Searches and Travel Bookings Can Also Be Risky

Online fraud is not restricted to social media. Search engine results can sometimes direct users to suspicious websites or fraudulent customer-care numbers.

Travellers searching for hotels, dharamshalas and holiday accommodation should obtain contact details from official websites or verified booking platforms. Fraudsters may create webpages with names similar to genuine establishments to collect advance payments.

Suspicious websites resembling Hotel Sonar Bangla in Puri have reportedly been used to mislead travellers. Customers may discover only after transferring money that their reservations were never made.

For railway travel, passengers should use the official IRCTC website or application. Similar caution is necessary when booking flights, renting vehicles or paying for accommodation through unfamiliar links.

Before making an advance payment, customers should independently verify the establishment, booking confirmation and payment recipient.

E-Commerce Consumer Protection Rules and New Requirements

The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, are stated in the supplied report to take effect on January 1, 2027. The reported provisions seek to strengthen transparency and accountability among online marketplaces.

The proposed requirements cover several areas, including:

• Greater transparency regarding pre-discount prices and promotional claims.

• Clearer disclosure of sponsored listings and search-result rankings.

• Better access to seller, product and importer information.

• Measures addressing deceptive website designs, commonly known as dark patterns.

• Greater attention to consumer data protection and grievance redressal.

The report also states that complaints must be acknowledged within 48 hours and resolved within one month.

According to the figures cited, the National Consumer Helpline received 17,71,622 complaints in 2025. Of these, 5,11,196 concerned e-commerce, accounting for approximately 29% of the total.

These figures underline the importance of effective consumer protection and accessible complaint-resolution mechanisms. Readers should check official government notifications for the precise scope and implementation of the amended rules.

Essential Tips for Safe Festive Online Shopping

Consumers can reduce the risk of online fraud by following a few practical precautions.

Verify Website Addresses

Check website URLs carefully before entering passwords, payment details or personal information. Prefer official applications and verified websites over links shared through advertisements or unsolicited messages.

Avoid Suspicious Payment Requests

Be cautious about transferring money to personal accounts or unfamiliar businesses. Confirm the recipient's identity and use secure payment methods offered through trusted platforms.

Check Sellers and Reviews

Read seller information, return policies and customer reviews before ordering. Do not rely exclusively on testimonials displayed on an unfamiliar website.

Avoid Unverified Apps and Downloads

Never install applications through unknown links or APK files received through WhatsApp or other messaging services. Download applications only from trusted sources and verify the publisher.

Monitor Financial Transactions

Review bank statements, card transactions and payment notifications regularly. If an unauthorised transaction occurs, contact your bank immediately and report the incident through India's cybercrime reporting channels, including the national helpline at 1930.

AI-Driven Scams Make Vigilance More Important

Artificial intelligence is making it easier for fraudsters to create convincing advertisements, imitate brand identities and produce realistic images or videos. As a result, even professional-looking promotional material may not be genuine.

Consumers should verify offers independently instead of relying on visual appearance, familiar logos or claims of limited-time discounts.

Conclusion

Festive online shopping can be convenient and economical, but attractive offers should never replace careful verification. By checking websites, confirming sellers and using secure payment channels, consumers can protect their money and personal information throughout the festive season.