Online shopping has become a daily habit for millions of people in India, but with its growth comes a new wave of cyber fraud. A recent report reveals that scammers are now using advanced techniques like device farming to exploit e-commerce platforms at a massive scale. This new method is being described as a modern version of the infamous Jamtara scams—only this time, machines are doing most of the work.
What Is the Device Farming Scam?
Device farming is a technique where fraudsters operate hundreds or even thousands of real or virtual smartphones simultaneously. These devices are used to create fake accounts on shopping platforms and misuse promotional offers.
Unlike traditional scams that relied on tricking people through calls or OTPs, this method works silently in the background using automation. The result is large-scale fraud that is harder to detect.
How Scammers Exploit E-Commerce Offers
Many e-commerce platforms offer discounts for new users—for example, ₹500 off on a first order. A genuine user can only use this benefit once. However, scammers manipulate the system by:
- Creating thousands of fake accounts
- Making each account appear as a new user
- Repeatedly claiming the same discount
This allows fraud networks to take advantage of promotional deals multiple times, leading to heavy financial losses for companies.
Why It’s Called “Jamtara 2.0”
The term “Jamtara 2.0” refers to the evolution of cybercrime techniques. Earlier, fraudsters from regions like Jamtara were known for phishing scams involving phone calls and OTP theft.
Now, the same mindset has shifted to more advanced technology. Instead of targeting individuals directly, scammers are now targeting platforms and systems, making the fraud less visible but more damaging.
More Than Just Fake Orders
Device farming is not limited to exploiting discounts. It is also widely used for:
- Posting fake product reviews
- Increasing or decreasing product ratings
- Creating bot traffic to manipulate trends
These activities mislead genuine users and affect the credibility of online platforms.
A Well-Organized Fraud Network
Reports suggest that this type of scam is not carried out by individuals alone but by organized groups. The process often involves:
- Procuring fake SIM cards
- Setting up device farms or virtual environments
- Creating and managing fake accounts
- Placing orders and reselling products
This structured approach has turned fraud into a full-scale business model rather than isolated incidents.
Impact on Companies and Users
The rise of such scams affects both businesses and customers. For companies, it leads to:
- Financial losses due to repeated misuse of offers
- Distorted data on user behavior and product performance
For genuine users, the consequences include:
- Reduced discounts and offers
- Less trust in product reviews
- Higher prices in the long run
In the end, regular customers often bear the cost of these fraudulent activities.
Why Detection Is So Difficult
One of the biggest challenges is identifying fake accounts. Each device and account appears unique, making it difficult for platforms to distinguish between real and fake users.
Since most of the process is automated, traditional fraud detection systems struggle to keep up. This has forced companies to adopt advanced technologies like AI-based monitoring and behavioral analysis.
How Companies Are Fighting Back
To counter these threats, e-commerce platforms are investing in:
- Artificial intelligence for fraud detection
- Stronger verification systems
- Monitoring unusual user activity patterns
However, it has become a constant race between security systems and evolving scam techniques.
Conclusion
The rise of device farming marks a new chapter in cybercrime. As technology becomes more advanced, so do the methods used by fraudsters. What started as simple phone scams has now evolved into complex, system-level exploitation.
For users, the key takeaway is to stay aware and cautious. For companies, the challenge is to continuously upgrade security systems. As the digital economy grows, tackling such sophisticated fraud will be crucial to maintaining trust in online platforms.
