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IndiaMART Purchase Scam: My Real-Life Experience, How It Happened, and How You Can Stay Safe
IndiaMART purchase scams are silently affecting small business owners across India. These scams often go unnoticed because they involve low-value frauds, where victims feel the loss isn’t big enough to report to the police. But for small entrepreneurs like me, even ₹3,000 is hard-earned money.
In this blog post, I’m sharing my real and painful experience of being scammed while trying to order wheat flour (atta) in bulk through IndiaMART. I’ll take you through how it started, what went wrong, the tactics the scammer used, and most importantly — how you can verify sellers, avoid such scams, and help others stay alert.
My goal is simple: No one else should fall into this trap like I did.
How It All Started: A Simple Search for a Grocery Order
After launching my small grocery shop, I needed to buy essential items in bulk to stock the store. One of the primary items I needed was atta (wheat flour).
So, I opened Google and searched:
“Atta bori buy online”
One of the top results was from IndiaMART, a well-known B2B marketplace. Trusting the brand name, I clicked the link and entered my product requirement for 100 kg of atta (2 boris).
Then Came the WhatsApp Message — The Start of the Scam
Within a short time, I got a message on WhatsApp from an unknown number. The message said:
“Hello sir, I saw your requirement on IndiaMART. I’m from XYZ Flour Mill in Noida. We have atta available for ₹1500 per bori, and we’re offering free delivery.”
He even shared some product images, claimed his flour was top quality, and acted very professional.
🚩 Red Flag 1: WhatsApp-Only Communication
He only communicated via WhatsApp. No phone call. No video call. No website. No GST verification.
🚚 Free Delivery Claim
He claimed that delivery was completely free and insisted:
“You’ll need to pay 50% advance and the remaining 50% after delivery.”
I agreed and received a QR code for ₹3,000 (50% of ₹6,000 for 200 kg).
🚩 Red Flag 2: The Product Quantity Trap
I had clearly asked for 100 kg. But the seller sent me a bill for 200 kg, saying:
“We don’t courier anything below 200 kg. You’ll need to wait until we get another order.”
Under pressure, I agreed. He shared a PDF invoice and I paid ₹3,000 via UPI.
🚩 Red Flag 3: Pressuring for Full Payment
After the first payment, he changed tone. He said:
“Courier is booked, but tracking will only be shared after full payment.”
I refused. He became aggressive and stopped responding. Calls didn’t connect. I realized the number was WhatsApp-only.
No Delivery, No Refund — Just a Scam
No delivery ever happened. The seller vanished. I was scammed.
Reporting to IndiaMART
I reported everything to IndiaMART. They asked for:
- Screenshots of chats
- UPI transaction
- Invoice
- Phone number
They verified and responded:
“We have blocklisted the seller and removed the account.”
They also suggested I try a UPI reversal, but it failed.
Why These Scams Are Growing
- They keep amounts small (₹2,000–₹5,000)
- Victims don’t go to police
- Scammers vanish after collecting money
- They do this daily and earn easily
How IndiaMART Purchase Scams Work
- Scammer monitors IndiaMART leads
- Contacts buyer on WhatsApp
- Shares attractive offers & fake invoice
- Demands partial payment
- Pushes for full payment
- Blocks buyer and disappears
⚠️ Scam Warning Signs
| Red Flag | Why It’s Suspicious |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp-only communication | Untraceable number, no business contact |
| Fake or no GST invoice | No business identity |
| Unrealistically low pricing | Too good to be true |
| UPI/QR-only payment method | No secure payment route |
| Pressure for full payment | Changes terms suddenly |
How to Avoid IndiaMART Purchase Scams
- Verify sellers: TrustSEAL badge, GST, registration
- Avoid WhatsApp deals: Use IndiaMART messaging & calls
- Start with test orders: Don’t place large orders initially
- Use Buyer Protection: Available for verified sellers
- Never pay in full in advance
Refer to the official RBI UPI fraud notice and Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
Related Articles on FYSS
Final Thoughts: Be Vocal, Stay Safe
This IndiaMART purchase scam taught me a hard lesson. These types of frauds will continue unless victims speak out. Awareness is our first defense.
“A scammer wins when a victim stays silent. So let’s speak out.”
