Is "fake flipkart clone site took my money" a scam?

Question

Is "fake flipkart clone site took my money" a scam? How do I know, and what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is a known, dangerous scam. Clone Ajio, Tata Cliq, Myntra, Amazon, or Flipkart sites pushed via Instagram or WhatsApp 'mega 90% off' ads. You pay by UPI or card, receive nothing or a worthless item, and card details are exfiltrated for later misuse. Red flags: URL is a lookalike domain — ajio-sale.in, tatacliq-offers.com, myntra-deals.shop, amazon-mega.in instead of the official site • Discount looks too good — 90% off branded clothing, 80% off Apple iPhone, etc. • Site only accepts UPI to a personal VPA or QR — no Cash on Delivery, no UPI handle from a verified merchant • Ad came from an Instagram or Facebook handle with very few followers and no blue tick • Order confirmation email arrives from a free email (gmail.com, outlook.com) instead of the brand domain • Customer support number does not connect or asks for OTP/UPI PIN over the phone. What to do: Always type the brand URL yourself or use the official app — never click shopping links from Instagram or WhatsApp ads • Check the URL carefully for hyphens, extra words, or wrong TLD (.shop / .xyz / .top instead of .in / .com) • Verify the brand's verified social handle (blue tick) before trusting any sale ad • Use credit card with chargeback protection rather than UPI for unfamiliar sites — UPI debits are very hard to reverse • If you already paid, call your card-issuing bank's fraud helpline immediately and ask for a chargeback • Block your card if you entered card details on the suspicious site • Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (national cyber helpline).

Is “fake flipkart clone site took my money” a scam?

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