Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 9: With online shoppers gearing up for Prime Day sales, cybersecurity firm McAfee has sounded the alarm over a wave of AI-driven scams targeting Indian consumers. According to the 2025 Global Prime Day Scams Study, more than 36,000 fake Amazon websites and over 75,000 scam texts impersonating the retail giant have been detected.

India, where 96 percent of consumers are expected to shop online during the sale, has emerged as a hotspot for these frauds. Shoppers are increasingly falling victim to deepfake videos, fake refund notifications, and spoofed delivery updates created using artificial intelligence.

Pratim Mukherjee, Senior Director of Engineering at McAfee, said Indian users are being manipulated by hyper-personalised content crafted to exploit urgency and trust. He noted that many users have lost significant amounts, with some victims reportedly losing over Rs 40,000.

The study revealed that younger consumers, especially those between 18 and 24 years of age, face the highest exposure to such scams. Nearly one in five shoppers who fall prey to online fraud choose not to report it due to embarrassment, indicating the psychological toll in addition to financial losses.

McAfee has advised users to avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor bank and card statements closely. The report also highlighted that a large number of shoppers received scam messages promising limited-time deals, false delivery alerts, or misleading discount codes.

The findings come amid a surge in online shopping, with many Indians preferring to purchase clothes and electronics through digital platforms. The study also revealed that a majority of Indian consumers shop online at least a few times a month, while a significant portion does so weekly.

Despite the excitement around Prime Day, cybersecurity experts urge shoppers to pause, verify and remain cautious before making any purchases or clicking on unexpected links.