Every day, people fall victim to fake investment schemes, online job scams, Ponzi schemes, lottery frauds, and deceptive e-commerce deals. Companies and fraudsters lure people with guaranteed high returns, fake discounts, and too-good-to-be-true offers.
Did you know that India has strict laws against fraud and false promises? ✅ If someone deceives you with fraudulent schemes or misleading claims, you can file a complaint, demand a refund, and even take legal action.
In this blog, we’ll explain how to identify fraud, avoid scams, and take legal steps if you are cheated. 🚀
Common Types of False Promises & Fraudulent Schemes 🚨
1. Ponzi Schemes & Fake Investment Plans 💰
✔️ “Invest ₹10,000 and earn ₹1 lakh in a month!”
✔️ “Guaranteed 10% monthly returns – No risk involved!”
✔️ “Your money will double in one year!”
📌 Example:
A company launched a “double money scheme” and collected crores from investors. After a few months, the owner disappeared, and people lost their money.
💡 What to Do? Only invest in RBI & SEBI-approved investment plans.
2. Online Job & Data Entry Scams 💻
✔️ “Pay ₹5,000 to register and earn ₹50,000 per month from home!”
✔️ “We need no experience, just pay the registration fee!”
✔️ “Guaranteed earnings – Join now!”
📌 Example:
A fraud company took ₹2,000 as registration fees for a data entry job but never provided any work.
💡 What to Do? Never pay money upfront for a job.
3. Fake Lottery & Gift Scams 🎁
✔️ “Congratulations! You’ve won ₹10 lakh!”
✔️ “Pay processing fees to claim your prize!”
✔️ “Your mobile number is the lucky winner!”
📌 Example:
A man received a call saying he won ₹5 lakh but needed to pay ₹10,000 as processing fees. After sending the money, the scammer disappeared.
💡 What to Do? Never trust such calls or messages, and never send money to claim prizes.
4. Banking & Credit Card Fraud 🏦
✔️ “Your ATM card is blocked – Please share OTP to unblock it!”
✔️ “I am calling from your bank, please share your account details!”
✔️ “You have been approved for a free credit card – Just provide your Aadhaar details!”
📌 Example:
A victim shared his OTP with a fake bank caller, and ₹50,000 was stolen from his account.
💡 What to Do? Banks never ask for OTP over the phone. Hang up and report the number.
5. Fake E-Commerce & Online Shopping Scams 🛒
✔️ “Get an iPhone worth ₹50,000 for just ₹999!”
✔️ “Pay customs duty in advance for your imported order!”
✔️ “Hurry! This deal expires in 24 hours!”
📌 Example:
A person ordered branded shoes at a 70% discount but received cheap, low-quality copies. The website shut down after a few days.
💡 What to Do? Shop only from trusted websites and choose COD (Cash on Delivery) whenever possible.
How to Identify Fake Promises & Fraud? 🤔
🔍 If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
🔍 Avoid “guaranteed returns” and “no-risk” schemes.
🔍 If a company asks for money upfront, it’s a red flag.
🔍 Check website URLs and read customer reviews before buying.
🔍 Never share OTPs, passwords, or personal details over the phone.
📌 Example:
If a company claims to double your money in a year, it is a Ponzi scheme.
💡 Always research before investing or making a purchase!
What to Do If You Are Scammed? 🚀
1. File a Complaint with the Cyber Crime Helpline 🔍
✔️ Cyber Crime Helpline Number: 1930
✔️ File an online complaint: www.cybercrime.gov.in
📌 Example:
A man lost ₹15,000 in an online shopping scam. After filing a cybercrime complaint, he got his money back.
2. Report to the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 📞
✔️ Toll-Free Number: 1800-11-4000
✔️ File an online complaint: www.consumerhelpline.gov.in
📌 Example:
A customer lost ₹20,000 in a fake loan scheme. He filed an NCH complaint and got his money back.
3. Send a Legal Notice to the Fraudster ⚖️
✔️ If the scammer is a registered company, send a legal notice through a lawyer.
✔️ Many fraud companies respond quickly after receiving a legal notice.
📌 Example:
A customer’s AC exploded due to a manufacturing defect, but the company ignored complaints. After a legal notice, the company paid ₹2 lakh in compensation.
💡 If the fraud company does not respond, proceed to Consumer Court.
4. File a Case in Consumer Court ⚖️
✔️ File an online case: www.edaakhil.nic.in
✔️ No lawyer is required for small claims.
📌 Example:
A man invested ₹1 lakh in a fraudulent scheme. The Consumer Court ordered the company to pay ₹2 lakh compensation.
💡 Consumer Court cases usually take 3-6 months to resolve.
Final Thoughts: Be Alert & Take Legal Action! 💪
✔️ Never trust random online offers, investment schemes, or lucky draw calls.
✔️ If you are scammed, file a complaint with Cyber Crime (1930) and Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000).
✔️ Verify companies, schemes, and e-commerce websites before making any payments.
✔️ For major frauds, take legal action through Consumer Court and claim compensation.
📢 Share this blog to spread awareness and help people stay safe from fraud in India 🇮🇳!
💬 Have you ever faced a scam or fake promise? Share your story in the comments!