7 Red Flags to Watch For When Buying NFT Art Pieces on Flipkart

The 'Low Price' Ad Redirect: Be extremely cautious of advertisements on social media or other platforms promising NFT art pieces at unrealistically low prices. These often lead to fake websites designed to steal your financial information or deliver counterfeit products [10, 34]. Always compare prices across reputable platforms and research the seller thoroughly before clicking on any suspicious ad.

The 'Order Verification' Phish: Scammers may send fake emails or messages impersonating Flipkart or a courier service, claiming there's an issue with your NFT art order and requesting you to verify details or click a link. This is a phishing attempt to steal your login credentials or personal information [5, 14, 23, 35]. Always log in directly to your Flipkart account to check order status and never click on links in unsolicited communications.

Fake Courier OTP Request: Be wary of individuals posing as delivery agents who ask for an OTP to confirm delivery of your NFT art piece. This is a common tactic to gain access to your phone or sensitive data [4, 7, 26, 27]. Flipkart may use OTPs for delivery verification, but always ensure the request comes through official channels and verify the delivery agent's identity.

Incorrect Item Return Fraud: Be aware of scams where a seller might attempt to send an incorrect or damaged item and then make it difficult to return, or manipulate the return process to their advantage [15, 20, 25, 28]. This can also manifest as an 'Open-Box Inspection Swap,' where a returned item is not the original one purchased [12, 17, 21, 32, 36].

Counterfeit NFT Art: Scammers may mint and sell counterfeit or plagiarized NFT art pieces, passing them off as originals. These NFTs will have little to no value once their inauthenticity is discovered [1, 2]. Thoroughly research the artist, the artwork's provenance, and check for verification badges on the platform.

Phishing and Impersonation (General): Be cautious of direct messages or emails that impersonate official Flipkart support or well-known NFT artists/platforms. These often aim to trick you into revealing sensitive information or visiting malicious websites [2, 3, 9]. Always verify the sender's identity and use official communication channels.