Flipkart’s Big Billion Days 2025 sale has erupted into controversy after widespread cancellations of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro orders. Despite buyers successfully paying, many found their purchases abruptly cancelled — a situation now being described as a fraudulent practice by frustrated customers.
Why buyers are calling it fraud
Flipkart had listed the iPhone 16 at Rs 51,999 and the iPhone 16 Pro at Rs 69,999, exclusive prices that triggered a rush of orders when the sale opened for Black and Plus members. However, within hours of payments, numerous customers received cancellation notices citing vague reasons such as “payment failure.” Many pointed out that transactions had been processed successfully, leaving no clarity about why orders were rejected.
This mismatch between confirmed payments and cancelled orders has fueled allegations that Flipkart used deeply discounted iPhone offers as a bait to attract traffic, with no intention of fulfilling most purchases.
Social media outrage
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #FlipkartScam and #BigBillionDayScam began trending as buyers posted screenshots of their cancelled orders. Some even alleged that refunds were delayed or incomplete, sparking further anger. Customers questioned whether Flipkart had misled shoppers, with one user writing: “This feels like a scam — you advertise iPhones at Rs 51,999, take payments, then cancel them within hours.”
Refund concerns and uneven fulfilment
While some Plus members reported that their iPhones were dispatched, the majority were left waiting for refunds. Several buyers raised suspicions that Flipkart was using customer money temporarily for cash float during the high-volume sale. The lack of a clear timeline for refunds has amplified accusations of malpractice.
Flipkart’s silence
As of September 26, 2025, Flipkart has not issued a detailed statement explaining the cancellations. The absence of accountability has led many to conclude that the offers were misleading, possibly even fraudulent, rather than genuine sale deals.
The controversy has dented buyer confidence in Flipkart’s festive sales. Until the company provides transparency and corrective action, the episode is likely to remain a defining example of consumer distrust in India’s e-commerce space.
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