Hackers target e-commerce customers

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 12, 2019

Hackers are using e-commerce platforms to access customers’ bank details through sales transactions, police in New Delhi told the Economic Times.

A businessman from northeast Delhi reported to the police that his bank account was hacked into following a purchase he made online, TNN reported. Upon payment, the seller sent malware to hack into the buyer's bank account which contained Rs 2.5 lakh ($3,617). 

The police reported to ET that the businessman was sent a malware link in an exchange about payment: “During their conversation, the suspect sent the businessman a text message to confirm his account details. However, along with the text was an encrypted link that contained malware,” said a police officer. This case has been registered as fraud under the IT Act and police are attempting to track the stolen money.

This incident is part of a wider trend where hackers pose as ex-defence personnel online sellers and hack into customers’ bank accounts and possibly phones as well. The payments are hard to track as they can be transferred to e-wallets registered with fake SIM cards. 

The police have reported the use of various types of software to scam e-commerce customers by allowing remote access to their devices. The police have also reported that the same 10 to 15 fake ID photographs are being used by hackers to create fake identities to sell online. 

E-commerce continues to boom in India and become an integral part of many retailers’ business strategies, especially in the fashion, beauty, and electronics sectors. However, as customers increase so does the potential for fraud. The upcoming draft e-commerce policy will need to address online security if customer trust is to be ensured.