Moneycontrol PRO
Swing Trading 101
Swing Trading 101

Delhi man shares how he escaped a Rs 28,000 Amazon COD scam after receiving a suspicious call

A Delhi resident avoided losing ₹28,000 after trusting his instincts when a suspicious caller demanded cash for an Amazon cash-on-delivery order. A Reddit post reveals how the scam worked and what helped him stay safe.

January 16, 2026 / 09:59 IST
Amazon
Snapshot AI
  • Delhi man avoids ₹28,000 scam by trusting instincts during fake delivery call
  • Scammer targeted COD orders for expensive items like phones and TVs
  • Official delivery agent confirmed scam; always verify before handing over cash

A simple gut feeling ended up saving a Delhi resident from losing ₹28,000, and his story is now a reminder of how cleverly online scams are evolving.

The incident, shared in a Reddit post that has since caught attention, goes back to 2022, when the user had just moved to Delhi from a tier-2 city. Like many people, he had ordered a mobile phone on cash-on-delivery from Amazon, with the total amount coming to Rs 28,000. What followed felt strange, even though he had never encountered a scam like this before.

According to the post, the man received a call from someone claiming to be connected to the delivery. The caller said he was already waiting downstairs and asked for the payment upfront, explaining that the Amazon delivery van was “on its way.” On the surface, it sounded believable. But something about the request didn’t sit right.

The user decided to trust his instincts. Since the order was marked as an open-box delivery, he told the man he would only pay once the actual delivery van arrived and the package was opened in front of him. That’s when things started to unravel. The caller began making excuses, seemed nervous, and left in a hurry without taking any money.

Still unsure, the user did the smartest thing possible—he called the official delivery agent using the number linked to his order. The response was immediate and clear. The real delivery person told him not to hand over cash to anyone else and confirmed that he was genuinely on his way.

A few hours later, the two met near a metro station, and that’s when the bigger picture came into focus. The delivery agent revealed that this wasn’t an isolated incident. The same scammer had reportedly tricked 10–12 people in just one week using the same method. The targets were always high-value items like mobile phones, TVs, and laptops, where cash-on-delivery amounts were large enough to make the scam worthwhile.

Titled “Gut feeling saved me,” the Reddit post was shared on January 13 and quickly sparked discussion in the comments. While it didn’t go viral in a big way, the story struck a chord with many readers who recognised how easy it is to get confused by such tactics—especially in a new city.

The takeaway is simple but important: never hand over cash unless the official delivery process is followed, and always double-check using the contact details provided in your order. Sometimes, listening to that quiet inner warning can make all the difference.

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Ankita Chakravarti
Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com
first published: Jan 16, 2026 09:58 am

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347