Online payment scams are a big problem in India. People need to be very careful while making payments online because scammers can trick them and take their money.
Two recent instances of scams in Mumbai have brought into focus how important it is to be aware and careful while doing financial transactions on the Internet.
Rs 4 Lakh Online Scam
According to the Free Press Journal report, a recent incident in Mumbai highlights the dangers of online scams.
A 23-year-old man who owned a furniture shop received a tempting WhatsApp message. The message said he had won an iPhone 14 Pro Max in a lucky draw by an electronics store.
Excited, he contacted the given WhatsApp number and was told that he needed to pay taxes to get the prize.
The victim fell for the scam and ended up paying approximately Rs 4.26 lakh in total to the scammer.
As reported, the amount was transferred in 34 different transactions.
Unfortunately, he never received the iPhone and realised that he had been tricked, the Free Press Journal report said.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Online Payment Scams
- Check if offers are genuine before paying online. Contact official customer support to confirm promotions.
- Be careful when asked to pay fees or taxes for prizes or transactions. Legitimate businesses include all costs upfront.
- Ensure websites have "https" and a padlock symbol for secure transactions.
- Before buying, research sellers or websites. Watch out for red flags like negative feedback or suspicious payment methods.
- Use trusted options like credit cards or verified digital wallets with buyer protection against fraud.