Beware of fake JioMart websites seeking franchisees

Recently, Reliance Retail has launched an online grocery service under the brand JioMart. The new brand has been started for helping consumers shop groceries at the lowest prices sitting at home amid the pandemic and also local retail shops. 

With this launch, the news of JioMart offering franchises and dealerships have been around for a while. However, Reliance is now warning users about fake JioMart websites doing the rounds. 

Hackers have created fake JioMart websites that look exactly like the original website to steal money from shoppers. These fake websites are claiming to offer a franchise at reasonable rates. The company is warning consumers against such scams and asking them to stay aware and informed.

Reliance shared a caution note on its Twitter handle that said, “We would like to inform the public at large that we are not operating any dealership or franchisee model currently nor have we appointed any franchisee or any agent for appointing any dealer or franchisee in any manner whatsoever. Further, we do not charge any amount under the pretense of appointing a person as a franchisee.”

“We have been informed about certain unscrupulous individuals who are creating fake websites, pretending to be us or associated with us, and duping innocent individuals under the pretense of granting franchisee of JIOMART services. The public, manufacturers, traders, and dealers are hereby cautioned against such unscrupulous individuals and their online fraud activities; and are hereby warned that we will not be responsible any business dealing with such dishonest individuals,” the note further read.

The company also shared the list of fake websites that are masquerading as JioMart. It added in the notice, “Some of the fake websites identified and reported by us are jmartfranchise.in, jiomartfranchiseonline.com, jiodealership.com, jiomartsfranchises.online, jiomartfranchises.com, jiomart-franchise.com, jiomartshop.info, jiomartindia.in.net, jiomartreliance.com, jiomartfranchise.co, among others.”

In order to protect its "goodwill and reputation", Reliance Retail will also initiate civil or legal proceedings against those misusing its brand.