Online purchase scam: Hyderabad youth duped of over Rs. 4.2L in vape fraud
Hyderabad: A 21-year-old private employee from Hyderabad was allegedly defrauded of Rs. 4,26,464 after placing an order for an electric vape hookah on a suspicious website.
According to the complaint, the victim ordered a vape worth Rs. 3,000 from a website on April 28, 2025, and paid online. Within an hour, the victim received a call from mobile number 7398650969, claiming the product was ready for delivery. The caller demanded Rs. 2,999 as a delivery charge, assuring that the amount would be refunded after delivery. Believing the claim, the victim made the payment.
Soon after, another person contacted the victim from mobile number 8527889816, claiming the earlier payment was stuck across merchant banks and asked for additional payments to process a refund. Over time, the victim was persuaded to make multiple transactions.
The fraud continued with a caller posing as a representative from IDFC Bank, offering reassurances and further requesting transfers to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. Despite repeated payments, no product or refund was received.
Only later did the victim realize the website was fake, and the tracking number shared was bogus. An online complaint has since been filed.
Public Advisory:
- Be cautious when ordering from unfamiliar websites.
- Do not trust refund or delivery fee requests made over personal calls.
- Avoid making payments through unofficial channels.
- Never share banking details over the phone.
- If fraud is suspected, immediately report the incident at cybercrime.gov.in or dial 1930.
- For emergencies, contact or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
Police urge citizens to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of websites and callers before making any financial transactions online.
