top of page

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.)

Woman of Substance

A woman is not defined by titles like nurturer or multitasker—she defines herself through her choices, resilience, and the life she builds each day.

Who decides who a woman is? Labels like ‘nurturer’ and ‘multitasker’ are often used — but do they truly define us? No, we define ourselves by our choices and by shaping our lives.


We women are highly inexplicably emotional. Is it our strength or weakness? It's neither a strength nor a weakness. It's just a vital part which exists in all of us. It's an emotion that helps in decision-making and later in taking action.

If emotions are managed well and used constructively, they become our strength, but if they are not managed well, then they lead to challenges, stress, and chaos.


So now the simple answer is "GROW". We want to see our best version.


We all love to see ourselves grow. Does this happen overnight? No, it takes years of hard work, dedication, commitment, and discipline in whatever we pursue. The list of things required to grow is endless. But primarily we need a few basic things for holistic growth.


1) Focus on self-care

Self-care is not selfishness or self-centredness. It is a priority for our own physical and mental well-being.


So do it unapologetically.


Take some time out to pamper yourself. Go to a salon, hang out with friends, and cook wholesome meals for your loved ones. Take a break from mundane activities and plunge into things that bring joy and positivity.

All these fill you up with exuberance.


2) Set goals

Set realistic goals. Take smaller steps towards it. Do not take a huge leap. This helps in your steady growth and fills you with a sense of achievement.


3) Be a learner

Keep learning and polishing new skills, as learning is a never-ending process. Keep gaining knowledge.


Learn, observe, implement, and execution becomes smooth.


4) Develop strong relationships

Relationships are just not about couples. Be it with your spouse, siblings, parents, kids, friends, neighbours, or colleagues, build a positive, strong relationship that should be built on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and support, and navigating through life is eased.

5) Practise Gratitude

How often do we crib over petty issues? Almost several times a day. We focus on things that we do not possess; instead, focus on things that we are blessed with, be thankful to the Almighty every passing second, and you will see magic happening.


When we speak about growth, it's just not financial growth. Overall as a person, we should strive to evolve. Be it emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual upscaling is very important.


To be truly independent is to take charge of your life. Be responsible for your actions. Be accountable. Only then do we learn to assess and take necessary steps and evolve.


That is the type of growth we should bring in ourselves.


We women are beauty-conscious, and we often look for validation. The power is YOU. Don't seek validation. Outer beauty is definitely going to fade away over a period of time.


Wrinkles, dark circles, sagging skin, and grey hair are all going to show up at one point or the other. It's inevitable although it can be delayed by skin treatment, eating right, and a disciplined lifestyle.


But inner beauty never dies. Ageing has to be so graceful that we should feel fulfilled on the inside.


That is true growth, a true achievement in its true sense, where our memory gets poor but our memories are so enriching. A never-give-up attitude keeps you going. So be strong, brave, and resilient no matter what life throws at you. Celebrate womanhood and be a woman of substance.


(The author is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page