Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters have devised a new method to dupe the public in Telangana, targeting online shoppers through fake “lucky draw” and “scratch card” schemes in the name of major e-commerce brands.
According to police, the fraudsters promise cash prizes, cars, or foreign trips if the targets follow specific instructions to “win” a lucky draw. These rackets have grown steadily in recent weeks.
Investigators said the criminals gain access to e-commerce customers’ data, sometimes through third-party data handlers, and identify what individuals bought, from where, and when. This data is then exploited for fraudulent purposes.
Police warned that e-commerce platforms never distribute prizes or gifts through OTPs, phone calls, or personal messages.
People have been advised not to trust links sent on WhatsApp from unknown numbers. Requests to pay money in advance to claim a prize are to be treated as fraud. Officials urged citizens to stick to verified websites for purchases and avoid flashy offers seen on social media.
Victims of such scams have been asked to call the toll-free helpline 1930 and file a complaint at the nearest police station without delay.
