Today I got a call from SandsShoppingHub.com saying that they have a promotional event in which I can get a Dell Laptop, Holiday Voucher, Sun Glasses, etc. by paying just Rupees 5,999/-

I got a call in the afternoon, there was a lady on the call who said her name is Neha.
She said that I can go to their website and check the offer details. She gave me the URL http://sandsshoppinghub.com/
She said I can chose from any one of the before said gifts, i.e., Laptop, Holiday Package, etc.
She said she will call me back after a few hours and I can decide on the offer and verify the details on the website.
The Call was then disconnected.
The Call came from the number: +91 1409 304 355

So now, I had already understood that something is fishy, so I went ahead to check their website.
Their website looks like a normal shopping website where you can buy goods.
I went a step ahead to see what products they have to offer.
Surprising they had only 10-15 products per category to offer.
Also the prices were something that would make you to buy it right away.
I saw a Laptop worth Rs. 4032/-. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!
I thought of trying to buy it as a Cash On delivery.
I added it to my shopping cart and proceeded to check out.
It asked me to register which I did.
It asked me for a shipping details, which I entered.
Then at step 5 it gave me an error saying that no payment options available. o.O Surprising! A shopping site whose agent just called me for their website promotion, does not have any payment options. *Something is terribly wrong*
I check the other products on the site and still it is the same message.
So by now I am 50% sure that this website is a fake website.
So I want for a call from Neha (the telemarket caller aka scamster)
I got a call from her again! (I didn't expect that).
She asked me which option did I choose.
I said Dell Laptop.
Ok. She said.
She said that you will have to register yourself for this gift on out website.
I told her that I already registered on your website a few minutes ago.
Then she says that "Sir, you cannot register on our site on your own. This offer is valid only when you register with the offer code given by me over the call. blah blah blah"
My Doubt has increased to 60%.
(I thought lets play along...)
I told her that I am ready to register.
She told me to go to their website i.e. http://sandsshoppinghub.com/
I went there.
She asked me to scroll down to the bottom of the page where there is PAYTM mentioned in blue (bilu in her accent) and she asked me to click that image.
I did so, and I was redirected to another web page which had option to register with details like Name, emailID, phone number, AMOUNT.
She asked me to fill amount as 5,999/-
I did so. (just going with the flow)
Then she asked me to submit the form which I did.
Then came the GAME CHANGER!
The page which I was redirected to was a payment processor page of PAYTM where in it has fields like debit/credit card number, Expiry Date, CVV number.
URL : https://secure.paytm.in/oltp-web/processTransaction
Now, there were multiple questions running in my mind.
This was supposed to be a registration. When did it turn into a Payment process.
The Page mentions at the top :
Total payment to be made to Sands Info Shopping Hub Rs. 5,999
My doubt became 200% clear.
I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THIS PAGE!
SOMEONE WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO SCAM ME! That too…over the Phone!

NOW, A little bit of background about me…
Firstly,
I keep getting emails in my Yahoo Mailbox every second day saying that I have won millions of dollars, pounds in some lottery/jackpot. Some Foreign bank wants me to keep their money; some deceased person in some other country has chosen me as their beneficiary in their will, and thousands of such emails.
So I am very well aware what these scamsters are looking for.
Secondly,
I am an engineer. I myself develop websites. Looking at the website I could tell that it was poorly created website.
Also, while the lady was helping me out to register, rather trying to scam me, I was checking the details she was asking me to fill in.
The details were just enough for money to be transferred from my account to theirs through the PAYTM payment processor gateway.
I know it very well that if I enter my details on this page then the money is gone! To who it goes is of no relevance. I cannot get my money back. I have no proof! I have nowhere written what I paid that money for. The website nowhere mentions what I am paying for.

So I asked the lady on the phone…
This is a payment processor page…
She said yes. (As if it is something normal... big deal)
I asked her that... you said you want me to register… how come I am asked to pay?
She says that in order to get the gift you have to first complete this process.
I asked her, which laptop is going to be my gift?
She says Dell Laptop.
I said there are thousands of Dell laptops.. which one are you offering?
She said that she will give me all configuration details after this page is filled.
She then started making false claims..
She said that after you fill in and submit this page, on the next page you will get the details of the transaction and the offer for which you have paid.
She said that you will get an email confirmation also.
She further said that you will again get a feedback form in email to rate our services.
(Meanwhile I was laughing in my mind over the tall claims she was making.)
Then I told her that I can clearly see that this is not a safe transaction and I am not interested in this offer and I cut off the phone.

So Friends, I have put up this complaint over here only because I want other people to be aware of these scamsters.
Not only this particular company but any other call / email which says that you have to pay us fir some amount to get your gift.
If they really wanted to give you the gift, they would never ask you for any amount. They would straight away deliver the gift to your home.
Never trust unknown people over the phone no matter how convincing they may seem.
You can also search the company’s name followed by the word SCAM in Google to check if there has been any fraud complaint made by anyone on the internet.

After I canceled this call, I searched the internet to check if this was a known fraud case.
I searched on Google.. “www.sandsshoppinghub.com SCAM” and VOILA! Hundreds of people abusing them on the internet for their fraud and their money lost forever!

I was saved because I was aware of such scams. Unfortunately, many others were not aware and fell prey to these scamsters.
I would request all readers to avoid all such make money fast options. Nothing comes free in this world. Nobody gives out free stuff to unknown people. Think for yourself... why would anyone do so? What would they get by doing that?

Don’t trust anyone with your hard earned money.

Now you people would say… Why did I not lodge a complaint against this caller?
Technically I was not scammed as my money was never transferred to them.
Such complaints are to be made by people who have actually paid money and then never got it back.
If you are one of such victims then go ahead and lodge a complaint. The Police is very supportive. These scammers have to be punished.

Thanks for reading and I hope you will not fall prey to such scammers.