Paid on a fake shopping website or social media seller? What to do
Updated 2026-10 · General information, not legal advice.
If a seller vanished after taking your money, treat it as fraud, not a normal refund dispute. The quicker you report, the better the chance the money can be held.
When to use this
- A website or page took payment and the order never came
- The seller blocked you after payment
- The product received was fake or a different item
Step by step
- 1
Call 1930 immediately
Give the transaction ID, amount, time and the account or UPI ID you paid.
- 2
Tell your bank or card issuer
Ask to block further payments and raise a dispute. Keep the complaint number.
- 3
Report on cybercrime.gov.in
File with screenshots of the site or profile, the chat, the payment proof and the seller's numbers.
- 4
Report the page or site
Report the profile to the platform and the site to the hosting or payment provider so others are not cheated.
Key facts
- Report within the first hours; speed matters
- Do not pay again to "release" an order
- Check seller reviews and the site address before paying
Get your free action plan
Tell us what happened. We show your options, draft the letters and track every deadline.
Common questions
Will I get my money back?
Nobody can promise it. Fast reporting gives the best chance, and card payments can sometimes be disputed with the bank.
Should I confront the seller?
No. Stop contact, save evidence and report.