Cybercriminals are using a range of fraud tactics around Raksha Bandhan and festive-season shopping to target consumers, including fake gift links, fraudulent discount offers, courier scams, UPI refund tricks and cashback schemes. The methods are designed to exploit increased online shopping, gift purchases and digital payments during the festive period.
Fraudsters may circulate deceptive links through messages and other online channels, offering gifts, discounts, refunds or cashback. Some links can lead victims to malicious websites, APK files or fake digital platforms intended to obtain sensitive information or facilitate financial fraud.
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Fake Gift Links and Discount Offers Used as Bait
One method involves fake gift links sent around festivals. Such links may appear to offer gifts or rewards but can contain malicious software, APK files or lead users to fraudulent digital pages.
Another tactic involves fake Rakhi and gift offers. Fraudsters may advertise substantial discounts on Rakhi products and gifts, sometimes offering discounts of up to 80 or 90 per cent. Victims may then be asked to make payments for products or offers that are not genuine.
Consumers are advised to remain cautious when unusually large discounts or unsolicited festive offers arrive through unfamiliar links or platforms.
Courier and UPI Refund Scams Target Consumers
Courier scams are another method being used to target people during the festive period. Fraudsters may pose as courier representatives and claim that an address needs to be updated or that there is a problem with a delivery. Victims can then be asked to provide an OTP or other sensitive information.
UPI refund scams use a different approach. A person may receive a refund-related message from an unknown number, followed by a claim that money was mistakenly transferred to the victim. The recipient may then be pressured into returning the supposed payment, creating an opportunity for fraud.
Cashback offers can also be used as bait. Fraudsters may promise bank offers or cashback benefits before directing victims to links and asking them to pay processing charges or other amounts.
Consumers Advised to Avoid Unknown Links and Protect OTPs
Consumers can reduce their exposure to such scams by avoiding unfamiliar links and independently checking payment requests before taking action. People should not enter their UPI PIN merely to receive money and should remember that receiving a payment does not require scanning a QR code.
Sensitive financial credentials such as OTPs, ATM PINs and UPI PINs should not be shared with unknown individuals.
For online festive shopping, consumers are advised to use official portals rather than relying on unfamiliar links, unsolicited messages or suspicious offers. Greater caution around digital payments, discounts, deliveries and refund claims can help prevent fraud during periods of increased festive spending.
