Mumbai: Fake QR payment scam hits Byculla shopkeeper, energy drink cartons stolen twice

Unclear CCTV visuals from inside the shop.

Energy drinks are now the latest target in Mumbai's growing wave of digital payment scams. A 65-year-old Byculla shopkeeper says conmen have twice walked away with cartons of Red Bull after flashing fake QR payment screenshots, exposing how fraudsters are increasingly using forged digital proof to steal goods within seconds.

The victim, Mohd Ilyas Ansari, outside his shop. Pics/By Special arrangement

Police say such scams are rising across retail outlets, with offenders exploiting hurried transactions and trust in mobile payment.

2024 Incident

(From left) The accused pretended to make an online QR-code payment at the shop counter; a shop worker loaded cartons of energy drinks onto the motorcycle, believing the payment was complete; the accused fled on the motorcycle with the cartons before the payment could be verified

February 24 Incident

1 The accused flashed an online payment confirmation and ran from the shop

2 The shopkeeper chased the accused after realising that the payment had not been received

Illustrations/Uday Mohite

3 The accused escaped on a motorcycle with the carton of energy drinks.

The scam in numbers

2 cheating incidents.
Same shop, same trick

2024
First case reported

Feb 24, 2026
Second incident
6 cartons stolen
across both cases

How fake payment scam works

Step 1: Customer pretends to scan QR code
Step 2: Shows fake payment screenshot
Step 3: Goods loaded onto bike or scooter
Step 4: Accused flee before payment verification

Police warning to traders

. Do not hand over goods until payment reflects in account
. Screenshot is not proof of payment
. Verify transaction in bank app or statement
. Report suspicious attempts immediately

Red flags to watch

. Customer rushes you to hand over goods
. Only screenshot shown, no confirmation received
. Refuses to wait for payment alert
. Tries to distract staff while loading goods

Safety checklist for shopkeepers

. Enable SMS alerts
. Use verified merchant accounts
. Check bank balance before delivery
. Never rely on screenshots
. Do not share OTP or banking details