Online shopping scams in India continue to rise, and the latest website to come under scrutiny is Zapthyra.com, where several customers have reported receiving wrong, low-quality, or completely unrelated products despite paying the full amount upfront. In one recent case, a customer who ordered clothes worth ₹1000 received a cheap, unrelated item that had no connection to the product shown on the website.
This incident has sparked fresh discussions about fraudulent e-commerce stores and the importance of verifying online retailers before placing orders.
A Growing Pattern of E-Commerce Frauds
India has seen a consistent rise in online shopping complaints, especially from lesser-known fashion websites promoting heavy discounts. Fake shopping portals have become a major concern for online buyers, with many reporting similar patterns of fraud across multiple platforms.
Websites like various pop-up stores use similar tactics:
- Attractive ads on social media
- Unrealistic discounts
- No customer support after purchase
- Wrong or worthless items shipped
- Websites going offline after a few weeks
Zapthyra.com appears to fit the same pattern, according to affected customers.
Customer Complaints Rising
The customer who reported the scam stated that the website showcased premium-quality clothing with clear images and detailed descriptions. After paying ₹1000 for multiple items, they received something entirely different—an old, low-quality piece of cloth that was impossible to use.
Attempts to reach customer care went unanswered. Emails bounced. The website chat system displayed only automated replies.
This pattern is consistent with many scam shopping sites that are built solely to collect payments, with no intention of fulfilling genuine orders.
Red Flags Associated With Zapthyra.com
While the website appears well-designed, several warning signs become clear upon closer inspection:
- No Company Details: No registered business address, GST number, or verified owner information.
- Recently Created Domain: Many scam websites use newly purchased domains and disappear soon after.
- No Customer Support: No working phone number or active helpdesk.
- Fake Return/Refund Policies: Refund claims go unanswered.
- Stock Images Used: Photos appear copied from legitimate brands.
Impact on Consumers
Fraudulent websites heavily target middle-class buyers looking for quality products at discounted rates. As India’s online shopping market grows, scammers exploit trust and impulse buying.
Losses usually range between ₹500 and ₹3000 per person, but collectively, the financial damage is substantial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Zapthyra.com a genuine website?
No. Most customer reports indicate that Zapthyra.com is not genuine. Many buyers received wrong or poor-quality items after making online payments.
2. What kind of scam is happening on Zapthyra.com?
The website displays attractive clothing items but ships unrelated, cheap products to customers after payment.
3. How much money are people losing?
Most victims report losing amounts between ₹500 and ₹1500, depending on the items they purchased.
4. Does Zapthyra.com offer refunds?
Although the website claims to have a refund policy, customers state that refund requests are ignored, and no communication is received.
5. Is Zapthyra similar to previous online scams?
Yes. The fraud pattern is extremely similar to many fake websites that send wrong products and disappear after collecting orders.
6. How can I check if a shopping website is fake?
Check for company details, GST number, domain age, real customer reviews, and active customer support before ordering.
7. What should I do if I’m scammed by an online store?
You can report the incident on the National Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) with payment proofs, screenshots, and order details.
8. Can I get my money back from the bank?
In some cases, yes. If the transaction is recent, you may raise a payment dispute with your bank or UPI provider.
9. Why do these scam websites disappear so quickly?
Scammers shut down websites once complaints increase and reopen with new names to avoid detection.
10. Are social media ads safe for shopping?
Not always. Scammers often run paid ads on Instagram and Facebook to appear trustworthy and attract quick orders.
Conclusion
The rise of fraudulent online shopping portals like Zapthyra.com highlights the need for greater consumer awareness. While online shopping offers convenience, it also opens doors for scams that take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. Customers should verify unfamiliar websites, avoid unrealistic deals, and share their experiences to warn others.
This scam serves as a reminder for shoppers to stay vigilant. Toofan Express encourages readers to report such cases and help build a safer online marketplace.
Report by Toofan Express