This Diwali, stay safe from scams too. Fake Sites Target Shoppers

This Diwali, stay safe from scams too.   Fake Sites Target Shoppers 

Ram.Sundaram@timesofindia.com 07.10.2024

Chennai : Supreme Court may have banned retailing of firecrackers online, but social media is awash in advertisements by fraudulent websites targeting Diwali shoppers. These scammers offer fireworks, at ₹2,000-₹3,000 per piece, with discounts of 80%-95%, showing videos of branded sky crackers and fancy fireworks. “A customer placing an order is given a UPI ID, QR code, or bank details to make an online payment and assured crackers will be delivered within a week. When questioned on delayed deliveries, the scamsters cite high demand. Within a few days, they shut the websites, switch off contact numbers, and vanish,” said Raja Chandrasekaran, President of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders

In several cases, scammers not only disappear with the customers’ money, but also drain their accounts. “Many customers, hoping to recover their money, approach us for help. However, these sellers are not legitimate and don't even have a GST number, let alone the required fire licences,” he said. Some fraudsters deliver inferior quality firecrackers instead of branded ones that are promised. Madurai resident R Chidambaram who was scammed into paying ₹6,000 said, “What I received was nothing like what they advertised.” Such rampant fraud has forced GST authorities in Madurai to conduct surprise inspections. In one instance, they seized a truckload of substandard fire crackers without proper documentation. Legitimate fireworks traders, such as N Elangovan, blame licence delays for pushing customers towards online scams. 

“Issuing timely licences will let traders sell locally, reducing fraud,” he said. Permanent licence renewals in districts such as Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Ariyalur have been pending for weeks. Temporary licences in places such as Madurai and Coimbatore close just a week before Diwali. “By then, quality firecrackers from Sivakasi, the state's manufacturing hub, would be sold out, leaving traders with limited business opportunities and buyers vulnerable to online scams,” he said