Jaunpur: Ahead of the Holi festival, a new cyber fraud network has become active on social media targeting online shoppers. Fake promotional content is being circulated in the name of Flipkart, offering “Holi Sale” and “limited time offer” deals with discounts of 90 to 95 percent to lure consumers. Cyber security experts say such advertisements are designed to exploit people’s haste and greed for unrealistically low prices.
How the Fake Holi Sale Scam Works
Nodal officer of the Cyber Club at Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Dr. Digvijay Singh Rathore, said this is a well-planned cyber fraud strategy. Through sponsored social media advertisements, fraudsters first display attractive offers and then share a link that appears similar to the official website of reputed e-commerce companies like Flipkart or Amazon, but is actually a fake portal. In many cases, consumers are forced to make advance online payments, after which no product is delivered.
Psychological Pressure Tactics Used
He further explained that fraud groups create new websites with domain names resembling the original ones so that ordinary users cannot easily notice the difference. These websites are usually prepared only a few days before the campaign and are heavily promoted through social media. Advertisements also use pressure tactics by displaying words such as “buy now,” “limited stock,” or “pay immediately” to push buyers into making quick decisions.
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Why Festive Seasons Are Targeted
Experts said that if a product suddenly appears at an extremely low price, it should not be trusted without verification. For example, offers such as a chair priced at ₹8,999 being sold for ₹467 or expensive mobile phones being offered at unusually low prices should immediately raise suspicion. Cyber fraudsters take advantage of this psychological tendency to trap people.
What To Do If You Spot a Fake Ad
The Cyber Club has appealed to citizens not to ignore suspicious advertisements but to report them using the “report” or “complain” options available on social media platforms. This can help remove fake advertisements quickly and prevent others from becoming victims.
If You’ve Already Been Cheated
If someone has already been cheated online, they should immediately file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Victims can also call the helpline number 1930 for instant assistance. It is important to safely preserve transaction details, screenshots, and suspicious links as evidence while filing complaints.
A Small Pause Can Prevent a Big Loss
Consumers are advised to shop only through the official mobile application or verified website of the concerned company. The website address should be carefully checked to ensure correct spelling and security indicators. Users should avoid excessively discounted offers, pressure for quick payment, or clicking unknown links.
Cyber experts emphasised that a little caution and awareness while shopping online can help prevent major financial losses. Fraud groups become active during festive seasons, so payments should be made only after confirming the authenticity of any attractive offer from official sources. A vigilant consumer can help reduce the growing threat of online fraud.
