PHDCCI Hosts High-Level Conference on Leveraging AI to Combat Fraud and Counterfeiting in Retail and E-commerce
New Delhi, September 17, 2025: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) convened an assembly of government leaders, industry visionaries, and corporate executives at a prestigious conference titled “Harnessing AI to Combat Frauds and Counterfeits in Retail & E-commerce.”
The focal point was the potential of Artificial Intelligence to fortify consumer protection, safeguard businesses, and enhance trust within India’s burgeoning digital economy.
During her keynote address, Nidhi Khare, Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, emphasized that consumer confidence constitutes the very backbone of e-commerce. She advocated for robust enforcement measures, asserting that AI-driven tools capable of real-time fraud detection can render the system more proactive and preventive.
“Consumer trust underpins e-commerce. While innovation must thrive, it should never compromise consumer safety. AI furnishes us with the necessary tools to achieve both objectives, if employed judiciously,” she articulated.
Padma Jaiswal, Secretary to the Government of UT/State, Union Territory of Puducherry, shared her insights, pointing out that e-commerce has emerged as a pivotal driver of job creation and economic expansion. Nonetheless, she cautioned that such advancements could be jeopardized by rampant fraud and counterfeiting.
“To cultivate a transparent and fraud-free digital marketplace, we must enforce stricter compliance, standardize products, and elevate monitoring efforts. AI will be integral in safeguarding consumers while ensuring fairness for legitimate enterprises,” she asserted.
From a regulatory perspective, Dr. Ravi Gandhi, Chair of PHDCCI’s Retail, E-commerce & Consumer Affairs Committee and President of Reliance Retail Limited, noted the converging lines between digital commerce and telecommunications, which are engendering new vulnerabilities.
He cautioned that phishing schemes, deceptive calls, and cyber frauds are evolving and necessitate equally advanced countermeasures.
“AI and data analytics can serve as our primary line of defense, identifying irregularities and red flags that may elude human oversight. To engender genuine consumer confidence, we must continuously adapt our regulations while embracing these new technologies,” he elaborated.
Speaking from the industry vantage point, Aman Jain, Member of PHDCCI and Director of Public Policy at Amazon, underscored the detrimental impact of counterfeit products on both consumers and reputable businesses.
He advocated for increased cooperation between government entities, regulators, and the private sector to enhance AI-driven systems capable of swiftly identifying and eradicating counterfeit goods from online platforms. Notably, Indians have incurred losses nearing ₹7,000 Crore due to online scams within the first five months of 2025.
“The battle against counterfeiting cannot be waged in isolation. Collaboration is indispensable. With AI, we can transition from a reactive stance to a proactive approach in preventing fraud,” he emphasized.
In a broader context, Hemant Jain, President of PHDCCI, addressed the duality of AI’s impact. While India’s digital transformation has unveiled vast opportunities, it has concurrently escalated risks such as fraud, counterfeiting, and even deepfakes.
He referenced a recent report from the Reserve Bank of India indicating that although the number of fraud cases has diminished, their aggregate value surged threefold to ₹36,000 Crore in FY 2025.
“Artificial Intelligence has transcended the realm of optionality—it’s an integral part of our daily existence. The challenge lying ahead is its responsible and transparent application in a spirit of cooperation. Only then can we convert digital velocity into digital security,” he stated.
Concluding the discussions, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General of PHDCCI, reminded attendees that consumer vigilance remains our most formidable defense against fraud.
The event was supported by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DOCA) through its ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ initiative—an enduring rallying cry to consumers that has never been more pertinent. The same AI tools that drive innovation are being exploited by malicious actors.
Awareness stands as our best safeguard, as even the most robust regulations are ineffective without diligent application. Ultimately, it is the consumer who bears the brunt of fraudulent activities, he asserted, assuring attendees that PHDCCI would persist in acting as a conduit between policymakers and industry to bolster consumer protection.
The conference concluded on a harmonized note, with participants acknowledging that technology should function as a protective barrier rather than a threat. The consensus was unmistakable: the Indian retail and e-commerce landscape will flourish only if consumer trust is meticulously safeguarded.
With responsible utilization, AI bears the potential to emerge as the cornerstone of that trust, fostering growth that is secure, inclusive, and sustainable.
Source link: Cityairnews.com.
