Key Takeaways
- A Bengaluru techie received a marble tile instead of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 worth ₹1.87 lakh from Amazon.
- Amazon has issued a full refund after reviewing the evidence.
- The police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the fraud.
A Bengaluru software engineer, Premanand, received a shocking substitution when his Amazon order for a premium Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 arrived: a heavy marble tile inside the sealed phone box. He had paid ₹1.87 lakh for the device.
The Unfolding of a High-Value Fraud
Premanand placed his order on October 14, 2025, hoping to get the phone before Diwali. Due to festive delivery delays, he received the package on October 19.
Fortunately, he followed a crucial safety measure. “I had ordered a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 worth Rs 1.87 lakh, but to my shock, I received a marble stone instead of the phone just a day before Diwali,” Premanand told NDTV.
He recorded a video of the unboxing, a practice recommended for high-value online purchases. The footage clearly showed the marble tile inside the official Samsung packaging.
Formal Complaints and Police Investigation
Premanand acted promptly by filing a report on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). He also approached the Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station, where a First Information Report (FIR) was registered.
Police have now launched a full investigation to trace the origin of the fraudulent package and identify those responsible for the swap.
Amazon’s Response: A Full Refund
After being alerted, Amazon reviewed the evidence and conducted its own internal checks. The e-commerce giant has since processed a full refund of ₹1.87 lakh to Premanand, providing some relief while the police probe continues.
How to Protect Yourself from E-commerce Fraud
This incident highlights the importance of taking precautions when shopping online:
- Always record unboxing videos for high-value items as proof of delivery contents.
- Instantly contact the e-commerce platform’s helpline to register a complaint.
- File a report with your local police station and on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
