As the glow of Diwali lamps fades and the echo of firecrackers quiets down, many Indians are left not only with fond memories but also with cautionary tales about online shopping scams in India. McAfee revealed a significant uptick in cyber threats this festive season targeting eager shoppers during the October festivities.
According to McAfee’s Global Festive Shopping Survey, 66% of Indians planned to do more online shopping this year than last. Who can blame them? With 68% finding better discounts and offers online and 60% appreciating the ease and speed of traditional in-store shopping, it’s no wonder virtual carts were overflowing. But while consumers were busy hunting for the best deals, cybercriminals were hunting for them.
The McAfee Labs team noticed a worrying trend: a surge in online scams aimed squarely at festive shoppers in India. Over the festive season from October 1 to October 28, McAfee safeguarded users against suspicious or malicious URLs nearly 24,000 times. That’s not just a number; it’s a clarion call for heightened vigilance.
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Phishing Frenzy and Malicious Links
Phishing emails and malicious URLs were the cybercrooks’ weapons of choice. An analysis of over 800 unsolicited, festive-related emails showed that scam activity spiked on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s almost as if the scammers knew when we were most vulnerable—perhaps after a long week when we’re more likely to let our guard down.
Many of these malicious links masqueraded as legitimate shopping sites like Flipkart or Amazon, dangling implausible discounts of up to 99%. Yes, you read that right—99%. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“Diwali is a special time of year that many look forward to—from consumers to retailers to cybercrooks,” said Pratim Mukherjee, Senior Director of Engineering at McAfee. “With AI-powered tools, scammers can now more quickly and easily create incredibly realistic fake celebrity endorsements and near-perfect imitations of trusted brand messages and websites. We’re urging people to stay cautious, think twice about deals that seem too good to be true, and use the best online tools to protect their information.”
Deepfake Dilemmas and AI-Driven Deceptions
Deepfake shopping scams have become the new boogeyman of the digital marketplace. Nearly half (45%) of Indian consumers say they or someone they know has fallen victim to such scams. Of those who lost money, 46% lost over ₹41,500. That’s not small change; it’s a significant hit to anyone’s Diwali budget.
McAfee’s survey found that 84% of Indians are more concerned about deepfakes now than they were a year ago. With AI-driven digital scams becoming increasingly common, it’s no wonder shoppers are feeling the heat.
Social Media: The Double-Edged Sword
Social media isn’t helping either. A significant 47% of Indians say they or someone they know has been duped by a scam involving a fake celebrity endorsement. And with 31% likely to purchase from a new retailer found via social media if the deal is appealing, the digital marketplace is rife with potential pitfalls.
Scammers are exploiting social media’s influence and people’s trust in celebrity endorsements. This perfect storm can lead to empty wallets and broken trust.
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Consumer Behaviors Feeding the Frenzy
The festive season magnifies certain consumer behaviours that play right into the hands of scammers. With 95% of Indians planning to engage in deal-seeking shopping behaviours due to inflation, and 90% considering starting their shopping earlier to snag the best deals, the urgency to grab a bargain can cloud judgment. 41% admitted they’re more likely to jump on a good deal immediately when they see it.
In the end, while the festive season is about giving, it’s also about being wise. Cybercriminals are more active than ever, and it’s up to each of us to stay one step ahead. So before you click on that unbelievable offer or share your credit card details on a site you’ve never heard of, take a moment. If we stay vigilant, we can enjoy the conveniences of online shopping without falling prey to digital deception.
