Indians lost over ₹4,245 crore to cybercrime in the first ten months of FY25, with 2.4 million cases of digital payment fraud reported, according to government data. Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a cornerstone of India’s payments system, has become a major target, with losses from UPI-linked scams reaching ₹1,087 crore across 1.34 million cases in FY24.
To address these growing threats, Amazon India has partnered with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs to launch Scam Free September, an initiative aimed at raising awareness among students, first-time shoppers, and families.
The Reserve Bank of India has repeatedly highlighted the risks of digital fraud, especially as UPI volumes surpass 14 billion transactions per month. Banking-related cyber frauds have surged nearly fivefold, rising from around ₹421 crore in FY23 to over ₹2,054 crore in FY24.
Experts note that younger users—digital natives entering college or starting jobs—are particularly vulnerable. Scammers often target individuals who are financially independent for the first time, using tactics such as impersonating well-known brands.
For e-commerce platforms, consumer trust is as valuable as transaction volume. With India’s online retail market expected to reach $200 billion by 2030, even small breaches of confidence can have significant economic consequences. Companies like Amazon and Flipkart, often impersonated in scams, are investing in consumer education to protect users and maintain trust.
Amazon has emphasized that it will never demand payments via phone or email, request gift cards, or ask for software installation. Customers are advised to report suspicious messages through the app or email [email protected], while legitimate orders can be verified directly through the Amazon app or website.
Cybersecurity experts stress that public awareness campaigns, combined with government enforcement and RBI safeguards, create a multi-layered defense against fraud. A Delhi-based cyber law specialist said, “Awareness is the new seatbelt. Just as traffic safety became second nature, scam safety must too—especially as India’s digital rails grow.”
With festive shopping approaching, the collaboration between Amazon and I4C highlights the need for shared responsibility in fighting scam. For young adults making their first major digital purchases, parental guidance remains as important as strong passwords.
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