Delhi HC Restrains Fake Sites, Recruitment Scams Using Zepto Name

The Delhi High Court has recently granted an ad-interim injunction to quick-commerce major Zepto in a trademark infringement suit, restraining several fake websites and deceptive social media accounts from misusing its brand name to lure people with fraudulent job and franchise offers.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, in a detailed 14-page order, held that Zepto had established a prima facie case against Defendant Nos. 1 to 7, which included operators of fake websites, deceptive social media accounts, as well as unknown persons.

The Court noted that the balance of convenience lay in favour of Zepto and observed that, if an ex parte ad-interim injunction was not granted at this stage, the company would suffer irreparable loss.

The order was passed while hearing Zepto’s plea seeking an interim injunction to restrain the defendants from using the Zepto mark or any deceptively similar name.

Zepto alleged that a widespread and coordinated fraudulent scheme was being carried out by Defendant Nos. 1 to 7 and unknown entities (Defendant No. 19) by misusing its registered trademarks, brand name, and goodwill to mislead members of the public into paying substantial sums under the guise of securing a Zepto franchise or job opportunities with the company and its subsidiaries.

The plaintiffs informed the Court that they had received several emails from members of the public and prospective customers seeking to verify the authenticity of various domain names containing the Zepto trademark.

Some of these emails, Zepto claimed, included contact details of persons falsely representing themselves as the company’s relationship managers and demanding payments into unrelated bank accounts.

In the first week of May 2025, Zepto discovered two unauthorized and fraudulent websites falsely projecting themselves as official platforms inviting applications for delivery partner roles under the Zepto brand. These websites were traced back to Defendant Nos. 2 and 3 (or entities under their control).

On May 8, 2025, Zepto filed a police complaint detailing the impersonation, misuse of its trademark, and the broader fraudulent scheme being orchestrated through these fake recruitment websites. The company also identified several social media pages that continued to unlawfully reproduce and exploit the Zepto trademark.

Taking note of these submissions, the Court observed that Defendants 1 to 7 and an unknown entity were blatantly using the Zepto name and logo on fake websites and social media pages, which appeared prima facie identical to the company’s registered trademarks.

“In view of the aforesaid, it is further evident that if Defendant Nos. 1 to 7 as well as unknown entities/Defendant No. 19 are not restrained from infringing the Plaintiff’s registered trademark, the said Defendants will continue to engage in fraudulent activities to deceive and entice members of the general public into parting with money under the false promises of jobs, training, and partnership,” the Court said.

Accordingly, till the next date of hearing, the Court issued several directions. It restrained the defendants from using the Zepto name, logo, or any deceptively similar mark in connection with fraudulent recruitment, phishing, impersonation, or related activities.

“Defendant Nos. 1 to 7 and Defendant No. 19 are directed to immediately suspend, block, take down, and transfer all infringing domain names and email addresses incorporating the Zepto brand name or any deceptively similar variant thereof, including but not limited to the domain names/websites listed in paragraph 13.9 of the plaint,” the Court added.

The Court also directed Meta Platforms Inc. and LinkedIn to remove fake accounts and deceptive posts impersonating Zepto. They were further ordered to share subscriber information and IP logs with the plaintiffs within three weeks.

The Department of Telecommunications was asked to block the mobile numbers linked to the scam and provide KYC details of subscribers. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) was ordered to direct ISPs to block access to the impugned websites.

Case Title: Zepto Private Limited & Anr. Versus Owner of Domain Name zeptonowindia.com & Ors.

Order Date: 26 August 2025

Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora