The pattern
Fraud sites piggyback on brand recognition. They pick a name close to a popular exchange, buy a cheap TLD, clone the interface, and pay for social ads to appear in your feed.
Checks that actually work
- WHOIS age. Look up the domain on any WHOIS tool. Anything under 6 months old with hidden registrant details is a strong warning.
- Cross-check the URL. Compare character-by-character to the URL you find on the brand's verified social channel (if any).
- Small-deposit test. Deposit the minimum, withdraw immediately. Do not bet.
- Ignore the padlock. A valid HTTPS certificate proves nothing about legitimacy.
- Never enter your bank OTP. No legitimate platform asks for it.
Frequently asked questions
How many copycat domains does a big brand have?
For the largest Indian brands, dozens are common at any moment, with new ones registered weekly during IPL.
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Former Sports Law Consultant · Expert in Indian Gaming Regulations · Advocate for responsible gambling frameworks
Priya Sharma is a former sports law consultant who covers the legal side of online gaming in India. She wrote this site's coverage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, from what the Act prohibits through to the constitutional challenge still pending before the Supreme Court. Her focus is consumer protection: what the law now says, what happens to people caught mid-transition, and where to get help. She writes explainers, not legal advice, and says so on every page.