SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have cautioned people against fraudulent online shopping advertisements that impersonate popular e-commerce platforms to dupe customers, warning that clicking on such promotions could lead to fake websites and financial losses.
In a cyber safety advisory, the police said scammers were using familiar brand names, logos and product images to make fraudulent advertisements appear genuine on social media platforms.
The advertisements often promise attractive discounts and special offers to lure customers into clicking on links that redirect them to lookalike websites operated by fraudsters. Victims may end up paying for products that are never delivered, the advisory said.
Urging people to exercise caution while shopping online, the police advised them to verify the authenticity of shopping websites and advertisements before making payments.
The police further asked victims of financial cyber fraud to immediately report the matter by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or registering a complaint through the official portal cybercrime.gov.in.
The advisory was part of the police’s efforts to raise awareness about online shopping scams, particularly during the festive shopping season.
