Flipkart Scam: Fraudulent Sites And Fake Offers Misusing Their Name

So, what should you do if you come across a suspicious promotional message, which you think is fraudulent? Without hesitation, please report it immediately by reaching out to the Flipkart Customer Support toll free number 1800 208 9898. Please help the Flipkart customer care representative with as many details as possible, as this will enable us to investigate the issue deeply and protect other customers like you.

Scams and Frauds Using the Flipkart Name Illegally

Fake Website

Fake websites may appear similar to Flipkart. They may make illegal use of the Flipkart logo and artwork, or other trademarks such as The Big Billion Days logo. Additionally, these fraudulent websites may have names and internet addresses (URLs) using the word ‘flipkart’ in them, for example: flipkart.dhamaka-offers.com, flipkart-bigbillion-sale.com among others. Although such websites pretend to be associated with Flipkart by using similar-looking and similar-sounding names, they are not authorized by Flipkart.

Fake Social Media Messages

Fake messages on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and/or other social messaging platforms: Fraudsters and cheats may use any of these familiar messaging platforms to send you messages with fake offers, discounts, fake contests, lucky draws, etc.

Some Flipkart customers have reported receiving messages where they are asked to provide details such as name, mobile number, address, banking details, etc.

Customers are asked to share the fraudulent messages with other individuals or groups with a promise to win lucrative prizes like a car or motorcycle, or any other item

Recipients are offered products at unbelievable prices (e.g. a 32 GB pen-drive for ₹25)

On clicking the embedded links, you may be lured to a website that appears to be very similar to Flipkart (see the above section on fake websites)

You may be asked to make payments through online wallets, bank transfer, or other means for logistics or taxes to avail a ‘free gift’ or a ‘prize’

Some fraudsters may post fake messages containing ‘Flipkart Customer Care’ or ‘2GUD Customer Care’ phone numbers to mislead online shoppers. These numbers are likely to be posted in Facebook posts or comments, or direct messages on social media platforms like Twitter. Please note that the official Flipkart Customer Care number is 1800 208 9898.

Fake Calls or SMS to customers

Often, customers may receive calls from unknown numbers. The callers may speak English, Hindi or any other language. They may lure you with information that you have won ‘free gifts’ or that your mobile number has been selected through a ‘lucky draw’, etc.

This is how such criminals operate:

In order to avail these gifts, you will be asked to reveal sensitive personal or financial information or credentials such your bank account numbers, electronic wallet details, credit/debit card information, CVV, PIN or OTP.

They may also lure you to a website that appears similar to Flipkart or send you a fake/ fabricated certificate.

They may claim to be Flipkart employees, or partners of Flipkart, and may display fake identity cards as proof. It is easy to fabricate such documents in order to make you believe that they are genuine.

You may also be asked to transfer money to certain digital wallets to claim prizes or gifts. Note that these accounts are not managed by Flipkart, but by fraudsters who want to cheat you.

Fake Job Offers

Such scams may involve offers of employment against certain commissions/fees, and may appear especially in newspaper advertisements and job portals. Flipkart never solicits, nor has it authorized any third party, to collect money from potential candidates for employment or contracts (for more information, read this post on Fake Flipkart job offers)

Phishing (Fake Emails)

‘Phishing’ is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details for malicious reasons by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing emails are sent by fraudsters. The emails may ask you to visit malicious links through which your personal and/or financial information can be obtained and be used without your consent to carry out fraudulent transactions. You may lose money, as well as personal and sensitive information. Your systems such as desktop computers, laptops or mobile phones can get infected or compromised by malware/viruses upon opening or clicking on the links in such emails.

What Should You Do When You Receive Fraudulent Messages?

You are advised not to reply to these fraudulent messages. Please do not click on any links they contain without verifying their authenticity with Flipkart, no matter how attractive the offers may seem. Flipkart has no connection with these fraudulent senders, and we have no control over any information that you share with them. Any details that you share with these fraudulent senders that impersonate Flipkart can compromise your personal and financial information, and may put you at risk of further criminal activity. Payments once made to these accounts cannot be retrieved or reversed, and you may be cheated of your hard-earned money.

For more information, click here.

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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.