Fake Website, Real Loss How a Seemingly Simple Shoe Purchase Led to a Cyber Insurance Claim

A doctor from Kota, Rajasthan, fell victim to a cleverly disguised online shopping scam that looked as authentic as any real brand website. On March 18, 2025, he ordered shoes from what appeared to be the official website of “Hako Shoes.” The site looked polished and legitimate, just like any trusted e-commerce platform, which is what made the fraud so convincing. However, after completing the purchase and making a payment of ₹5,938, things quickly started to seem suspicious.

There was no confirmation message, no tracking update, and no way to reach customer care. The contact number provided didn’t work, and the support email bounced back. Upon digging deeper, it was discovered that there is no registered presence of “Hako Shoes” in India; the site was a complete fraud designed to look like the real brand, targeting unsuspecting buyers with professional layouts and branding.

Incident Report

The cyber fraud occurred on March 18, 2025, when the insured made an online payment of ₹5,938 for shoes from a fake e-commerce site impersonating a known brand. Upon realizing he had been misled, and with no customer service or refund channel available. He reported the matter to CoverPrime on March 29, 2025, seeking assistance through his cyber insurance plan.

Action by CoverPrime

As soon as the insured raised the concern, the CoverPrime team took immediate action. Our legal and claims advisors explained the nature of such counterfeit e-commerce scams, guided him through the required documentation process, and helped him understand how to formally proceed with a cyber insurance claim. We also advised him to retain digital evidence, transaction receipts, screenshots, and all correspondence with the fraudulent site. The matter was formally reported to ICICI Lombard. Since the fraudulent website posed as a well-known brand and deceived the insured during an online purchase, it fell under the category of “Online Shopping Fraud,” a covered scenario under the Cyber Insurance policy.

Outcome of the Claim

The insurance company accepted the claim as valid and categorized it under covered cyber fraud. The claimed amount of ₹5,938 was approved. As of now, the settlement is in process, pending the receipt of a duly filled Discharge Voucher (DV) from the insured. Once completed, the final settlement will be processed and credited.

Special Note

This case highlights how even low-value online purchases can lead to real financial and emotional stress. The insured appreciated the prompt and supportive approach by CoverPrime, which made navigating this situation smoother and less overwhelming.