A major kite dor scam wave is sweeping Punjab’s kite-flying market. Scammers are exploiting excitement for Basant’s return, confusion about legal regulations, and buyers’ lack of technical knowledge to sell fake, dangerous, or worthless products as legitimate kite dor.

If you’re planning to buy dor — whether for Basant 2027, personal collection, or future use — read this entire page before spending a single rupee. The scams are sophisticated, the losses are real, and the consequences go beyond just wasted money.

This is a consumer protection alert based on reports from legitimate manufacturers, scammed buyers, and market analysis. Your safety and your money are at stake.

Why Scammers are Winning in Dor Scam

The February 2026 Basant was a wake-up call. Many fans were forced to pay 3x the actual price for 2-piece and 4-piece Pinna. Because prices were so uncontrolled, a new “DIY Rush” has started.

People are now trying to buy raw thread early to make their own dor for 2027, hoping to save money. This desperation has created a perfect environment for scammers. They aren’t just selling kites anymore; they are selling “solutions” that are actually traps.

The Dor Scam Trap & The Knowledge Gap

New flyers often cannot distinguish between high-quality kite cotton and basic stitching thread.

The "Vintage" Brand Lie:

If someone claims to have “Original 7 Panda” or “8 Chain” from the pre-ban era (2007), they are lying. Thread that is 19 years old is dead. It becomes brittle and weak. As the old makers say: “Dagha purana ho jai to tut jata ha” (Old thread breaks the moment you try to use it). Don’t pay a premium for a “vintage” label that won’t fly.

Legal Confusion:

Because sales are currently unauthorized (as of February 2026), scammers operate in “gray markets.” If you are scammed, you may feel you cannot report it without admitting you broke the law.

Panic Buying:

Desperation for the 2027 season allows scammers to create artificial urgency (“limited stock!”) and demand risky advance payments.

6 Common Dor Scams Explained

1- Clothing Thread Swap: Selling regular kapray wala dagha with fake “Panda” or “Chain” labels. It has no coating and snaps instantly under tension.

2- Rope / Thick String: Industrial cord (moti sutar) sold as “heavy-duty dor.” It is far too heavy for any kite to fly properly.

3- Drawstring Thread: Repackaging naray ka dagha (waistband string) as premium kite dor.

4- Expired / Old Dor: Selling 19-year-old stock from 2007. Cotton thread degrades over time; manufacturers confirm old thread breaks the moment you try to apply manjha.

5- Advance Payment Fraud: The seller shows “stock” in a video, takes your money via EasyPaisa, and blocks you immediately.

6- Bait-and-Switch: You pay for high-quality thread but receive a completely different, low-grade product in the mail.

How to Identify Fake Dor

Visual Check: Real dor has a “glace” (shine) from the coating. Fakes look matte, soft, and are often wound on tiny tailoring spools.

The Touch Test: Real dor feels firm and slightly abrasive. If it feels squishy, waxy, or like a t-shirt, it is fake.

The Burn Test: Real cotton smells like burning paper and leaves fine ash. Synthetics or fakes melt into a hard plastic bead and smell like chemicals.

Length Verification: A “2-piece” is exactly 2-piece = 2000 yards on two spools (one spool = 1000 yards). Do not accept two small 500-yard spools as a “2-piece” deal.

How to Buy Safely

Wait for the Law: Official legal sales for Basant 2027 are expected to open in late January or early February 2027.

Use Licensed Vendors: Buy only from sellers registered on the e-Biz Punjab portal.

No Advance Payments: Only use Cash on Delivery (COD) or face-to-face transactions.

Document Everything: Take photos of the product and screenshots of all chats before paying.

Conclusion

The dor scam epidemic in Punjab is real, widespread, and costly. Scammers are exploiting legal confusion, knowledge gaps, and buyer desperation to steal money and deliver worthless products.

Remember: If someone claims to have original pre-2007 legendary dor, they’re lying. Old thread is worthless. Modern alternatives exist, but they’re not “original vintage.”

The scams will continue until legal sales open and government enforcement increases. Until then, extreme caution is your only protection.

Stay safe. Protect your money. Fly legal.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Can I safely buy dor right now (February 2026)?

No. Sales of kite accessories are currently prohibited outside authorized dates in Punjab. Anyone selling now is operating illegally, which means:

You’re breaking the law by buying,
The seller is likely a scammer since legitimate businesses won’t risk penalties, and
You have no legal recourse if scammed.

Wait for official authorization expected late January 2027.

How can I tell if "7 Panda" or "8 Chain" is real?

Anyone claiming to sell original pre-2007 legends “7 Panda” or “8 Chain” is either lying or selling expired product. After 19 years, stored thread degrades and becomes weak — it will break when used. Modern threads may use similar names but are different formulations. Ask for manufacturing date, source, and ply specifications to verify what you’re actually getting.

What's the difference between kite thread and stitching thread?

Kite thread (patang ka dagha) is manufactured specifically for kite flying from long-staple cotton, designed to hold manjha coating, and twisted in specific ply counts. Stitching thread (silai ka dagha) is made for sewing, uses short-staple cotton and cannot hold manjha properly. They are NOT interchangeable.

Stitching thread is completely useless for kite flying and scammers frequently sell it as “kite dor.”

What does "2 piece" or "4 piece" mean when buying dor?

“2 piece” refers to LENGTH, not quantity. It means 2000 yards of thread (approximately 1.83 km) wound on ONE spool/pinna. It does NOT mean two separate spools. “1 piece” = 1000 yards, “4 piece” = 4000 yards, etc. Scammers exploit this confusion by selling two small spools with 500 yards each and calling it “2 piece” when it’s actually only “1 piece” total length. Always clarify exact length in meters/yards AND number of spools.

Why do scammers demand advance payment?

Because once they have your money, they disappear.

Advance payment scams work like this:

scammer shows fake stock,
creates urgency,
demands payment upfront,
then blocks you immediately.

Since the transaction was illegal (sales banned outside authorized period), you can’t report to police without admitting your own violation. They know this and exploit it.

NEVER pay advance for dor. Only cash-on-delivery or face-to-face transactions.

Is old pre-ban dor safe to use if I find some?

No. Cotton thread degrades over time from moisture, UV light, and oxidation. After 19 years, the fibers become weak and brittle, and the manjha coating separates. Manufacturers confirm that old thread breaks when you try to apply new manjha or use it for flying. Even if you find genuine vintage dor, it’s worthless and dangerous — it will snap unexpectedly during flight, potentially causing you to lose expensive kites.

How can I verify a seller is legitimate?

Wait until legal sales period opens, then:

Check e-Biz Punjab portal for registered vendors,
Verify their business license and registration number,
Confirm physical shop address,
Insist on face-to-face transaction,
Check product for government QR code,
Ask technical questions (legitimate sellers can answer),
Verify fair market pricing. If seller refuses any of these, walk away.

What should I do if I've already been scammed?

Document everything you have: screenshots, photos, transaction records, seller details. You can:

Report to FIA Cyber Crime (1991 helpline or cyber.gov.pk),
File complaint with Punjab Consumer Protection,
Post warning in kite-flying community groups with evidence.

Note: reporting may require explaining illegal purchase. At-least do minimum, warn others to prevent additional victims.