Luxury scams surge as fraudsters target Indians via text

India is witnessing a sharp rise in smishing attacks — text-message–based cyber fraud — with scammers increasingly using luxury-brand offers, fake e-commerce updates and phishing URLs to trap unsuspecting smartphone users. Cybersecurity analysts warn that fraudsters are now deploying highly polished, brand-like templates to make their scams appear legitimate.

How the luxury-bait scam works

Fraudsters send SMS messages claiming to offer steep discounts on premium brands, limited-edition releases, or festival sales. These messages usually contain malicious links that redirect users to fake websites or data-harvesting forms designed to steal personal and banking credentials.

Experts say these texts often mimic popular luxury houses and shopping apps, exploiting the growing aspirational consumer market in India.

Delivery-related smishing on the rise

Another widespread pattern involves fake delivery alerts - especially from courier or e-commerce brands. These texts urge users to “verify address,” “update payment,” or “confirm delivery,” directing them to phishing pages. Once on these pages, victims unknowingly expose their data or authorize unintended transactions.

Why Indians are more vulnerable now

• Growing online shopping habits
• Increased trust in SMS-based service notifications
• Use of advanced spoofing tools making texts appear official
• Lack of awareness about URL safety and link verification

Fraudsters are also using bulk-SMS gateways and international SIM routes to bypass telecom filters, making the attacks more frequent and harder to trace.

What cyber experts recommend

• Never click on links sent via unsolicited SMS.
• Verify offers directly on official brand websites.
• Use updated antivirus and SMS-filtering apps.
• Report fraudulent messages via 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

Authorities emphasize that smishing scams are evolving rapidly, blending sophisticated digital deception with social-engineering tactics that play on urgency, scarcity, or exclusivity.