Hyderabad man loses Rs 1.2 lakh while buying a suit online: Here’s how the scam unfolded

Online shopping has made our life much easier, but it has also increased the risk of falling into online scams. Recently, a 22-year-old man from Hyderabad lost Rs 1.2 lakh while trying to buy a suit online. Keep reading to know how it happened.

The incident took place when the victim saw an ad of a suit available online at the price of Rs 1,799. Tempted with the deal, the victim contacted the fraudster on WhatsApp as displayed on the ad, reports TOI. After the enquiry about the product, the victim paid the amount but the fraudster claimed that they had not received any payment and asked the victim to pay again.

Also read: Woman loses Rs 23.5 lakh in work-from-home scam: Here’s what happened and how to safeguard yourself

For the repayment, the fraudster sent the link instructing and convincing the victim to feed his parents’ credit card details. The assurance of returning the money back made the victim pay further through the credit card, resulting in a loss of Rs 1.2 lakh.

After the transaction was completed, the fraudster ceased the communication which made the victim realise that he had been cheated. The case has been registered and investigation has started.

Also read: Pune citizen loses over Rs 5.3 lakhs while trying to return defective charger: Is a new scam emerging?

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Use trusted websites only: If a website seems suspicious or untrustworthy, avoid using it. Stick to well-known, legitimate sources.
• Opt for Cash-on-Delivery: When purchasing from an unfamiliar website, always choose the “Cash-on-Delivery” option to minimise risk.
• Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers: If an offer seems unrealistic, take a moment to question its authenticity before proceeding.
• Avoid clicking unidentified links: Don’t click on unknown links, as they may introduce viruses or malware to your device.
• Keep your credentials private: Never share your Credit/Debit card details or other sensitive information with anyone. Always safeguard your personal data.