Basant celebrations in the provincial capital were overshadowed by fraudulent online kite sales, leaving hundreds of residents frustrated and financially affected.
After nearly two decades of restrictions, Basant returned with excitement and enthusiasm, drawing people across Lahore to prepare for the long-awaited festival. Families eagerly purchased kites and strings, with many spending large sums to fully enjoy the occasion. However, scammers took advantage of this surge in demand, operating fake websites and misleading online portals while authorities struggled to control the situation.
As traditional markets like Mochi Gate witnessed heavy crowds, many customers turned to online stores such as Lahorekites.com to avoid the rush. Unfortunately, numerous buyers reported being cheated. Orders were either delayed or never delivered, and sellers stopped responding after receiving payments, disappearing with the money.
One affected buyer shared that he paid Rs27,000 for kite strings a week before Basant and even provided proof of the transaction, yet received nothing in return. The website, reportedly linked to Digi Pandaz Pakistan, allegedly deceived many others as well. Victims are now calling for legal action against those responsible, claiming that hundreds may have been defrauded.
Along with non-delivery, several platforms inflated prices dramatically. Kites previously sold for Rs500 were offered for as high as Rs1,800, exploiting the public’s excitement. Some websites even introduced fake kite-flying certificates to appear legitimate and attract more customers.
Although the Punjab administration attempted to regulate sales by placing QR codes on kites and strings, citizens argue that these codes can easily be duplicated, limiting their effectiveness.
With countless sellers operating in Lahore, identifying genuine vendors remains difficult. Residents are urging the police and district administration to investigate and protect buyers, as both customers and honest traders continue to suffer losses during Basant.
