PR No – 170
17th September 2025
New Delhi
AI as a Shield Against Digital Frauds: PHDCCI Hosts High-Level Conference on Combating Counterfeits in Retail & E-Commerce
New Delhi, 17th September 2025: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) brought together government leaders, industry experts, and top executives for a high-level conference on “Harnessing AI to Combat Frauds and Counterfeits in Retail & E-commerce.” The event focused on how Artificial Intelligence can be used to safeguard consumers, protect businesses, and strengthen trust in India’s fast-growing digital economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, underlined that consumer trust is the backbone of e-commerce. She stressed that while stronger enforcement is necessary, AI-powered tools capable of spotting fraud in real time can make the system more proactive and preventive.
“Consumer trust forms the bedrock of e-commerce. Innovation must continue, but never at the cost of consumer safety. AI gives us the means to achieve both- if we use it responsibly,” she said.
Sharing her perspective, Smt. Padma Jaiswal, IAS, Secretary to the Government of UT/State, Union Territory of Puducherry, highlighted that e-commerce has become a major source of jobs and economic growth. She warned, however, that this progress could be undermined by unchecked fraud and counterfeiting.
“To build a transparent and fraud-free digital marketplace, we need stricter compliance, product standardization, and better monitoring. AI will play a central role in protecting consumers while ensuring fairness for genuine businesses,” she noted.
From a regulatory lens, Dr. Ravi Gandhi, Chair of PHDCCI’s Retail, E-commerce & Consumer Affairs Committee and President of Reliance Retail Limited, pointed out that the lines between digital commerce and telecom are blurring, creating new risks. He warned that phishing scams, fake calls, and cyber frauds are becoming more advanced and require equally sophisticated defenses.
“AI and data analytics can serve as our first line of defense, catching irregularities and red flags that human oversight may miss. To build real consumer confidence, we must keep updating our regulations while embracing these new technologies,” he explained.
Speaking from an industry perspective, Mr. Aman Jain, Member, PHDCCI & Director, Public Policy, Amazon, highlighted how counterfeit goods hurt both customers and honest businesses. He urged closer collaboration between government, regulators, and the private sector to scale AI-driven systems that can quickly detect and remove fake products online. Indians have lost close to Rs.7,000 Crore to online scams in first 5 months of 2025002E
“The fight against counterfeits can’t be fought alone. Collaboration is the only way forward. With AI, we have the chance to move from reacting to fraud after it happens to actually preventing it,” he emphasized.
Setting the broader context, Mr. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, spoke about the double-edged nature of AI. While India’s digital revolution has unlocked huge opportunities, it has also increased risks such as fraud, counterfeiting, and even deepfakes. Citing the Reserve Bank of India’s latest report, he noted that although the number of fraud cases fell, their total value jumped threefold to ₹36,000 crore in FY 2025.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional- it’s already part of our lives. The challenge now is to ensure it is applied responsibly, transparently, and in a spirit of collaboration. Only then can we turn digital speed into digital safety,” he said.
Closing the discussions, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, reminded everyone that consumer vigilance remains the strongest shield against fraud.
“The event was supported by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DOCA) through its initiative ‘Jago Grahak Jago’– a timeless call to consumers that is more relevant today than ever. The same AI tools that power innovation are also being misused by fraudsters. Awareness is still the best defense, because even the strongest laws only work when applied effectively. At the end of the day, it’s the consumer who pays the highest price for fraud,” he said, assuring that PHDCCI will continue to act as a bridge between policymakers and industry to strengthen consumer protection.
The conference ended on a united note, with all sides agreeing that technology should be seen as a shield, not a threat. The consensus was clear: India’s retail and e-commerce sector will only thrive if consumer trust is protected and with responsible use, AI has the power to become the foundation of that trust, ensuring growth that is safe, inclusive, and sustainable. The conference was supported by Reliance Retail Limited as the Presenting Partner, Amazon as the Session Partner, and Blossom Kochhar and Yahvi as the Gifting Partners.