A Simple Refund Request Turns Into a Cyber Fraud Nightmare
A woman from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Akanksha, reportedly lost ₹99,518 while trying to return a saree worth ₹674 purchased on Flipkart. After waiting seven days without receiving her refund, she called a number she believed was associated with her order, hoping to resolve the issue.
How the Scam Started
During the call, the person allegedly instructed Akanksha to share her phone screen and open a gift card received on her phone. Following these instructions reportedly exposed her to cyber fraud. Soon afterwards, five unauthorised transactions were carried out, resulting in a loss of ₹99,518 from her bank account.
Her Family's Savings Disappear
When Akanksha checked her bank balance that evening, she discovered that a significant amount of her savings was gone. The money was reportedly saved for important family needs, including her marriage and the installation of a water pump at home. The incident turned a small online shopping issue into a major financial setback for the family.
How to Avoid Online Refund Scams
To stay safe, always request refunds through the official shopping app or website. Never share your phone screen with unknown callers, open suspicious links or gift cards at their request, or reveal OTPs, UPI PINs and banking passwords. Always verify customer-care numbers through official sources instead of trusting random numbers found online.
What to Do If You Lose Money
If you suspect cyber fraud, contact your bank immediately and report the incident by calling India's cyber fraud helpline at 1930. You can also file a complaint through the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in/. Keep transaction IDs, bank messages and other evidence to support your complaint.
The Key Lesson
A delayed refund should never put your hard-earned money at risk. Scammers often exploit people's trust and urgency to gain access to sensitive information. Always use official customer-support channels and remember that you do not need to share your phone screen or disclose banking credentials to receive a legitimate refund.
Frequently asked questions
- 1. What is an online refund scam?
- An online refund scam occurs when fraudsters pretend to help customers receive refunds to trick them into sharing sensitive information or authorising fraudulent transactions.
- 2. How did the woman reportedly lose ₹99,518 in the saree refund scam?
- According to the report, she contacted a number she believed was customer support and followed instructions to share her phone screen and open a gift card. Five unauthorised transactions reportedly followed.
- 3. How much did the saree cost?
- The saree reportedly cost ₹674, while the woman's total financial loss was ₹99,518.
- 4. How can I identify a fake customer-care number?
- Be cautious of numbers found in random search results, social media posts or unofficial websites. Verify customer-support details through the shopping platform's official app or website.
- 5. Should I share my phone screen to receive an online shopping refund?
- No. Do not share your screen with unknown callers or install remote-access applications at their request. Use the platform's official refund process.
- 6. Can someone steal money through a fake refund link?
- Yes. Fraudsters may use fake links to steal login credentials, banking details or OTPs, or manipulate victims into approving transactions.
- 7. What should I do if money is stolen from my bank account?
- Contact your bank immediately, report the unauthorised transactions, call India's cyber fraud helpline at 1930, and file a complaint at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
- 8. Can I recover money lost in an online refund scam?
- Recovery may be possible, but it is not guaranteed. Report the fraud immediately, notify your bank and preserve transaction details and other evidence.
- 9. Is an OTP or UPI PIN required to receive a legitimate refund?
- You should never disclose an OTP, UPI PIN, banking password or other confidential credentials to someone claiming to process a refund. Follow only the official refund procedure.
- 10. How can I safely request a Flipkart refund?
- Open the official Flipkart app or website, go to your orders, select the relevant item and follow the available return or refund instructions. Contact support through official channels if you need help.
