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By:

Bhaskar Nath Biswal

13 May 2026 at 8:30:30 pm

E-Commerce’s Hidden Threat

The modern Indian marketplace no longer echoes exclusively with the chaotic bustle of traditional bazaars. Instead, it thrives within the silent, instantaneous clicks of smartphone screens. From monthly groceries to high-end electronics, digital retail has fundamentally altered how households across the country consume goods. This transition has undoubtedly unleashed unprecedented convenience, democratizing access to products for millions living outside metro cities. However, this...

E-Commerce’s Hidden Threat

The modern Indian marketplace no longer echoes exclusively with the chaotic bustle of traditional bazaars. Instead, it thrives within the silent, instantaneous clicks of smartphone screens. From monthly groceries to high-end electronics, digital retail has fundamentally altered how households across the country consume goods. This transition has undoubtedly unleashed unprecedented convenience, democratizing access to products for millions living outside metro cities. However, this hyper-connected landscape has also exposed a deeply troubling reality. As digital storefronts expand, so does the shadowy ecosystem of cybercriminals eager to exploit the trust and vulnerabilities of unsuspecting shoppers. The digital transaction, once celebrated as a triumph of modern engineering, is increasingly fraught with unseen hazards. Protecting consumers from e-shopping fraud has now become an urgent national imperative. Fraud Surge The sheer scale of India’s e-commerce revolution provides vital context for why online shopping has become such a high-stakes arena. Recent market estimates indicate that India’s e-commerce economy has surged well beyond $140 billion, driven by over 300 million active digital shoppers. Projections show this user base rapidly swelling toward 400 million, largely fuelled by deep internet penetration, affordable smart phones and seamless payment infrastructure like the Unified Payments Interface across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Yet, this remarkable surge in commercial volume has been mirrored by an equally dramatic escalation in cybercrime statistics. Official records from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal reveal that citizens have filed over 3.8 million cyber fraud complaints, representing staggering financial losses exceeding Rs. 36,000 crore, with a significant portion stemming from fraudulent online retail schemes. Perhaps most alarming is the historical recovery rate, where less than one percent of stolen funds is successfully returned to victims once transactions cross cyber borders. Despite the pervasive presence of online threats, digital consumers frequently fall into predictable traps that expose them to severe risk. A primary misstep is the failure to maintain basic password hygiene, with millions of shoppers reusing weak or identical passwords across multiple e-commerce platforms and email accounts, enabling attackers to execute swift cascading breaches. Furthermore, shoppers frequently bypass critical verification steps in pursuit of speed, such as failing to verify whether a website domain uses secure, encrypted connections before typing in card credentials. Another widespread oversight is performing financial transactions over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or transport hubs, which allows bad actors to intercept sensitive data packets in transit. Many consumers also neglect regular software updates on their smartphones, leaving unpatched security vulnerabilities wide open to malware. Above all, emotional urgency remains the greatest weakness. Impulsive buyers frequently ignore glaring red flags, such as suspicious payment requests or unverified seller profiles. Decoding Scams Recognizing that awareness is the frontline of defence, key industry players and digital safety advocates have begun taking structured action. A prominent example is the consumer handbook, ‘Your Guide to Safe Online Shopping’, developed by Safer Internet India and commissioned by Amazon. The initiative aims to demystify complex cyber security concepts and provide consumers with actionable, real-world tools to navigate the digital marketplace safely. The handbook shines a bright light on the most prevalent fraudulent tactics currently plaguing buyers. To combat these threats, the safety guide emphasizes a multi-layered approach to consumer protection. It urges shoppers to verify web addresses meticulously, refrain from sharing one-time passwords and avoid conducting transactions off authorized brand platforms. Equally important, the guide bridges the gap between technical vigilance and legal empowerment by outlining explicit consumer rights under Indian laws and detailing formal grievance redressal mechanisms. A sustainable defence against online shopping fraud requires an integrated, multi-stakeholder strategy that aligns consumer awareness, corporate accountability and robust law enforcement. E-commerce platforms must continue investing aggressively in advanced artificial intelligence tools to detect cloned websites, eliminate fake merchant accounts and intercept suspicious payment flows before they reach consumers. Concurrently, regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies must strengthen real-time intervention frameworks, expanding initiatives like the 1930 cyber crime helpline and emergency account-freezing protocols to minimize financial damage when breaches happen. On the demand side, continuous public awareness campaigns, modelled after comprehensive handbooks, must reach deep into semi-urban and rural regions where first-time internet users are most susceptible to manipulation. Ultimately, building a safe digital shopping environment is about preserving trust. Only when digital literacy keeps pace with technological innovation can India truly reap the economic rewards of its e-commerce revolution without sacrificing the security of its citizens. (The writer is a former college Principal and Founder of Supporting Shoulders, an Odisha-based non-profit Trust. Views personal.)

Four champions of Gandhian values honoured

Tirveni Acharya felicitated with Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children at 47th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards. / Pic: Bhushan Koyande
Tirveni Acharya felicitated with Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children at 47th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards. / Pic: Bhushan Koyande

Mumbai: Four eminent personalities and champions of Gandhian principles from across India including one from Mumbai, were honoured with the coveted Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation (JBF) awards for their contributions of truth, non-violence and humanitarian services.

 

They are: Hasmukh Babubhai Patel of Gujarat for ‘Constructive Work’; P. M. Murugesan of Tamil Nadu for ‘Application of Science & Technology for Rural Development’; Triveni Acharya of Maharashtra for ‘Development & Welfare of Women and Children’; and Sekacheva Lyudmila Leonidovna of Russia for ‘Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India’.


Mumbai's journalist-turned-activist, Triveni Acharya is regarded as India's foremost anti-trafficking crusader for over 25 years, rescuing, rehabilitating and empowering survivors through her "Rescue Foundation", based in Kandivali east.


So far, the RF has rescued more than 7000 girls-women, opened four homes in different parts of India where more than 11,000  are given care, shelter and rehabilitation.


Beyond rescue, Acharya ensures holistic recovery through medical care, trauma counselling, legal aid, education and livelihood training, a Project Ekatra that empowers survivors to become mentors and peer leaders, etc., working with Police, foreign embassies and NGOs.


The ceremony’s Chief Guest was Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj, along with JBF Chairman Shekhar Bajaj, Trustee and Chairman of Council of Advisors Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, and other dignitaries besides a distinguished eminent gathering.

 

Each awardee received a Citation, Trophy, and a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh, and reinforces the JBF’s mission to advance the vision of the legendary Jamnalal Bajaj - a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi - who dedicated his life to social reform and national development.

 

This year’s ceremony also carried a note of remembrance, being the first since the passing of Trustee Madhur Bajaj in April 2025, whose legacy of philanthropy and social commitment was fondly recalled.

 

“Every year, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards spotlight individuals whose tireless work uplifts humanity. This year’s awardees have not only transformed lives but also rekindled faith in compassion and constructive action,” said Shekhar Bajaj.

 

Dr. Mashelkar described the honorees as “modern-day Satyagrahis - warriors of conscience who fight with compassion, not confrontation”.

 

“Each has proven that a single determined heart can illuminate darkness and restore hope, embodying Gandhian resilience and truth,” said Dr. Mashelkar.

 

Trustee and Hon. Director Minal Bajaj reflected on JBF’s guiding philosophy, recalling Gandhiji’s words about Jamnalal Bajaj: “He did not earn a single rupee through unethical means and spent whatever he earned for the good of the people.”

 

She added, “The Foundation continues to seek out these hidden gems, individuals transforming communities or reshaping nations, staying true to our mission of celebrating selfless service.”

 

Over nearly five decades, the JBF awards have stood as one of India’s foremost recognitions of humanitarian endeavour, continuing to inspire collective action rooted in the timeless ideals of Gandhi and Jamnalal Bajaj.

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