Surat cyber‑crime officials exposed a scheme that generated 5,121 bogus cash‑on‑delivery orders in just nine days, siphoning roughly ₹42 lakh from an e‑commerce platform. The same device, IP address and customer ID were used throughout the operation.
Key Takeaways
- 5,121 fake COD orders placed in 9 days
- Single device, IP and customer ID linked to all orders
- Estimated financial loss of around ₹42 lakh
Overview
In Surat, a cyber‑crime gang exploited a single seller account named "Sukhvilas Creation" to flood an e‑commerce marketplace with thousands of counterfeit orders, leveraging the platform’s Seller Protection Fund to claim payouts.
How the Scam Operated
Within nine days the conspirators generated 5,121 orders, each appearing to come from a distinct customer. Digital forensics, however, revealed that the same mobile number, IP address, and device were behind every transaction.
Historical Background
Fake COD order rings have surged globally, with fraudsters cashing in on seller‑protection guarantees before cancelling the orders. This incident mirrors a broader trend of increasingly sophisticated e‑commerce fraud.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that such coordinated fake‑order schemes threaten consumer trust and increase operational costs for online marketplaces, prompting stricter verification protocols across the industry.
Cybercrime analyst Dr. Ramesh Kumar says, “These coordinated fake order rings exploit seller protection funds and are becoming increasingly sophisticated.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Was the fraud limited to Surat?
A: Investigations suggest the network extends to multiple states, but the core operations were coordinated from Surat.
Q2: How did the e‑commerce platform respond?
A: The platform immediately blacklisted the seller ID and partnered with cyber‑crime officials for a comprehensive probe.
