NEW DELHI : Safer Internet India (SII) today launched ‘Your Guide to Safe Online Shopping’, a practical consumer handbook designed to help online shoppers identify, prevent and protect themselves from online frauds and scams. Developed by Safer Internet India and commissioned by Amazon under its flagship consumer awareness initiative, Mission GraHAQ, the handbook seeks to equip consumers with simple, actionable guidance to navigate India’s rapidly expanding digital marketplace safely and confidently.
The handbook was formally launched by Shri Krishna Devarayalu Lavu, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, who attended the event as Chief Guest at the India International Centre. Speaking at the launch he said, “The most effective way to combat online fraud is to prevent it before it happens. That requires making digital safety simple, practical and accessible for every citizen. Initiatives like Mission GraHAQ are an important step in that direction, and I congratulate Safer Internet India and Amazon on bringing together this practical handbook. As India continues to lead the world in digital adoption, we should encourage and scale more such initiatives that promote responsible digital behaviour and strengthen consumer confidence, benefitting consumers across the country.”
Shri Vishal Patil, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, said, “The benefits of India’s digital revolution can be fully realised only when every citizen feels confident participating in it. While innovation has made online commerce more accessible than ever, it is equally important that consumers have access to credible, easy-to-understand resources that help them make informed decisions. Your Guide to Safe Online Shopping is a timely initiative that simplifies digital safety for everyday consumers, and I hope it reaches people across urban and rural India alike. Building a digitally aware society requires sustained engagement, and initiatives like these can make a meaningful difference.”
Built around the Mission GraHAQ framework of Shikshit GraHAQ (Informed Consumer), Satark GraHAQ (Alert Consumer), and Sashakt GraHAQ (Empowered Consumer), the handbook simplifies digital safety concepts into easy-to-understand guidance. It covers common online shopping scams, safe shopping practices, consumer rights under Indian law, grievance redressal mechanisms, and practical steps consumers can take to protect themselves while shopping online.
Speaking at event, Rakesh Bakshi, Vice President – Legal, Amazon India, said, “India’s digital economy can realise its full potential only when trust keeps pace with technology. Building that trust requires sustained collaboration between government, industry and civil society to strengthen safeguards and empower consumers with the knowledge to protect themselves. At Amazon, we continue to invest in advanced technologies, strong partnerships and consumer awareness initiatives to help customers shop with confidence. Our planned investment of US$48 billion in India by 2030 reflects our long-term commitment to the country’s digital future, while initiatives such as #ScamSmartIndia with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and now Your Guide to Safe Online Shopping with Safer Internet India demonstrate our shared commitment to making online shopping safer for every Indian.”
Vivan Sharan, Founder, Safer Internet India, said: “Technology and enforcement continue to play an important role in tackling online fraud but as fraudsters constantly adapt their tactics, consumer awareness becomes the first and most effective line of defense. This handbook is designed to translate digital safety into simple actions that every shopper can take—from recognising red flags and protecting personal information to understanding consumer rights and reporting fraud. As India’s digital economy grows, building trust will depend not only on stronger systems but also on empowering every consumer to participate safely and confidently.”
The launch was followed by a panel discussion on strengthening trust in online commerce and the growing importance of public-private collaboration in enhancing consumer awareness and digital safety. The discussion brought together senior representatives from government, consumer organisations, industry and civil society, including Amit Yadav, Cyber Safety Influencer, Haryana Police and Bejon Misra, Consumer Education Policy Expert, among others.
Launched in 2022, Mission GraHAQ is Amazon India’s flagship consumer awareness initiative inspired by the Government of India’s Jago Grahak Jago vision. Over the past four years, the initiative has reached millions of consumers through on-ground programmes, digital outreach, radio campaigns and partnerships focused on safe online shopping, payment security, consumer rights and fraud prevention.
The launch of Your Guide to Safe Online Shopping builds on this journey and complements broader consumer awareness initiatives such as #ScamSmartIndia, reinforcing the shared commitment of government, industry and civil society to ensure that as India’s digital economy grows, consumers are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to participate safely.
