The festive season has kicked off across India, with e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon offering massive discounts during their Big Billion Days and Great Indian Festival sales. But as shoppers rush to grab deals on gadgets, appliances and fashion, scammers are also taking advantage of the festive frenzy-exploiting urgency and excitement to trick unsuspecting buyers.
Online Festive Sales 2025: How Scammers Are Tricking Shoppers During Flipkart Big Billion Days, Amazon Great Indian Festivals & More
Consumers are flocking to online platforms to snag deals on everything from smartphones and electronics to home appliances and fashion. However, this period of shopping euphoria also opens the door to opportunistic fraudsters. Scammers are actively exploiting the festive rush to dupe unsuspecting buyers, knowing that in the heat of the moment, people tend to overlook signs of deception. The urgency, the flash sales, and the sea of offers create a perfect storm for malicious actors.

Common Scams During Festive Sales
OTP Fraud
One of the most frequent scams involves fraudsters posing as delivery agents or customer support. They claim there is a problem with an order and ask victims to share their OTP for "verification." Once the OTP is shared, attackers gain account access and can misuse stored card or banking information.
Fake Delivery Calls
Another tactic is to call shoppers claiming their parcel could not be delivered, and requesting additional personal details or fees to "reschedule" delivery. Many victims fall for such pleas, inadvertently handing over sensitive data.
Phishing & Social Media Traps
Impersonated Messages
Scammers send messages that mimic real e-commerce platforms - "Your order is delayed," "Click here to track," or "Verify your payment." These messages direct users to phishing websites that resemble legitimate ones. Any login ID or card detail entered is immediately harvested by criminals.
Social Media Frauds
Discount offers on social platforms are a hotbed of deceit. Posts promoting unbelievable deals on popular products like gaming consoles or high-end phones often lead to fake sellers who vanish once payment is made.
How to Stay Safe from Scams While Shopping Online; Checks Tips Here
- Only shop on trusted platforms (verify the URL starts with "https://" and contains no spelling errors)
- Avoid clicking on links from unknown SMS or email sources
- Enable two-factor authentication for all payment and shopping apps
- Use strong, unique passwords for each e-commerce website
- Never share OTPs, CVVs, passwords, or UPI PINs with anyone
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when making online purchases, stick to your mobile data or a private network.
Disclaimer
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