Flipkart — Mobile locked on flipkart smart upgrade plan accept notification while 100% payment was already done during procurement

Romendra Pal Rayat

May 10, 2023

Website:

www.flipkart.com

I procured Realme GT Master Edition from Flipkart Online Portal (Authorised Partner to sell this product) on[protected] through order ID as OD[protected]. I paid full amount (100%) for this and this phone was not under Flipkart Smart Upgrade Plan. (See the invoice)
Since then, I was using this phone without of any problem and I formatted this phone too many times, when I feel speed is slow. Each and every time I face no problem. During this period I regularly updated android version from 11 to 12 to 13 as well as regular patches from Realme.
On[protected], after reformatting my device, when I was on initial setup ( i.e. selecting region, language etc. ) I got a full screen Flipkart Terms and condition notification to accept “Flipkart Smart Upgrade Plan” immediately after filling the Wi-Fi password. There was no skip, reject button was on it to move forward. There was only a accept button and phone was in locked condition, i.e. I was not able to move forward, backward, swipe down and upward. (See the screen shot)
Now as my phone was not under any plan, I was not agreeing to accept any plan, which I didn’t opt. I try to contact customer care on[protected], written on my invoice, I got message this number is not operational. Then I tried [protected], Each and every time I got message that all executives are busy try another time. Then I opened Flipkart account through PC and request call back. Flipkart call back to me and lady was so gentle. She listen my problem and checked everything on portal and told me that my problem is genuine. I should contact to Realme, as only Realme (Manufacturer of Device) can resolve it. She gave me a number [protected]. I contacted on this number and told them everything. CC executive was also gentle person and he listen everything. He took some time to check details and then accepted that this is genuine problem and should not be there.
Now the question is arising that
(1) Why Reealme/Flipkart/Seller implanted a malware in my phone, while phone was not under any plan.
(2) When I paid 100% asked money at the time of procurement, then why I am getting locked notification to accept any plan from Flipkart.
(3) If it is there, then why there is no skip/forward button on this notification to move forward to further setup the device, as phone is not under any plan,
(4) Is this malware is capable of stealing my personal sensitive information and sending it to Realme / Flipkart/Seller or any hacker. (Remember Realme is a Chinese company under BB electronics having Vivo, Oppo, Oneplus, Iqoo etc under its flag),
(5) As I come to know through internet and my friends, that if I will accept this plan, then I will automatically registered to pay some 30% additional amount of already paid amount at the time of procurement of this device. i.e. I have to pay total 130% for this device.
(6) If above statement is true, then where is my already paid 30% amount. Is it was not shown to Income Tax department by Realme/Flipkart/Seller. Let us assume there were one Lakh Phone sold and 30% amount was Rs/-3000, then who steal tax related 100000x3000=Rs/[protected], from Indian Government. It’s a Scam and ED and IT (Enforcement Directorate) should keep an eye on it. Remember earlier Oppo and other Chinese company already comes under their radar.
(7) If it is not a scam, then Realme/Flipkart/Seller, should recheck the Order IDs and make a Patch and release to each and every genuine customer who is not under this plan, to resolve this issue.
(8) Indian Cyber Security agencies I Cert, must take this type of incident into account, and check Is it legal to implant such type of malware, which is having capability to lock the consumer mobile. Remember this is happening when user login to WiFi or Mobile Sim Network. This means this malware immediately connecting to some server, sending mobile information to them. A very serious issue, because only security agencies are authorised to implant such type of malware, to counter check the activity of any suspected person. If this is done by any department i.e. Realme/Flipkart/Seller, not authorised to do or not taken permission from Indian government or authorised agencies to counter check an Indian Citizen, then this is a clear cyber-crime and breach of Privacy of a person. Any Person/Agencies/Department must be punished who is behind it.
(9) As in case of me FLIPKART, REALME CUSTOMER CARE ALREADY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN NOT RESOLVE IT. THEN WHY THEY IMPLANT THIS INTO MY DEVICE. THIS IS A BIG QUESTION. Realme/Flipkar/Seller should consider it and resolve it. Because I will not accept any plan, which was not opted by me at the time of procurement or during this period.

+3 photos

Was this information helpful?

No (0)

Yes (0)

Flipkart customer support has been notified about the posted complaint.

Jun 05, 2023

Updated by Romendra Pal Rayat I went to Realme service centre[protected] as advised by Realme customer Care person. After hearing my problem and checking my invoice, they talked to somewhere. Then the service centre person told me that they will try their best. But if the problem will resolve, I have to pay Rs. xxx/- as service charge to them. If problem not resolved, then they will not charge anything.
I agreed. There Mechanic revert back Rom to Android 12 and reboot the device. But after connecting it to WIFI service, again FLIPKART UPGRADE PLAN acceptance notification came. They accepted it. It taken them to a Cepcha page, and there was a link to make payment.
They now requested to see my Flipkart account from where I purchased the device. I opened it for them. They were satisfied that payment was genuine and made in full during initial procurement. Now they asked me to open the Email ID which is registered on Flipkart. I opened the same. They were again satisfied that my problem is genuine.
They informed all these on cell phone to somewhere. After that they told me that it can only be resolved by Flipkart. This problem doesn’t belongs to Realme. After this they handover my device and logged out from my Flipkart and mail account. They also told me sorry for this.
I revert back to Flipkart customer care on same day and told them all these. They told that all these thing, which I told them, forward to concerned team. They also told me that my device was never under this scheme. It was wrongly came under this scheme and there concerned team will resolve it. But problem was not resolved till[protected].
I got two mails from Flipkart that they tried to reach me but my numbers were not accessible to them. I revert back to them that these numbers are 24x7x365 open and I didn't get any call from flipkart.
I contacted Flipkart Customer care. I told everything to customer care person Mr. Akash and told everything to him. He connected me to His senior Mr. Gaurav. while we were on call and he was listening to me, call was disconnected from flipkart side. I reconnected and Mr Deepak come on call. He advised me to call on next day. On[protected], I called back customer care and customer care person connected me to his senior Ms Charu. She also listen everything from me and told that problem will be resolved till[protected]. I told her that every time I am getting same type of assurance, but no body resolving my problem. She told that I can't further help. It is to be resolved by technical team.
Now I think FLIPKART DO NOT WANT TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLE RELATED TO FLIPKART SMART UPGRADE PLAN on those product for which they already charged 100% amount.
After paying 100% amount, the product belongs to me and no one can implant such type of offer without my consent. This is wrong. There was only service agreement from the date of procurement till service agreement date. I will wait till[protected] and then further update.