Bulk order from an "army canteen" or "hospital" with an advance refund trick
A large order from an institution comes with an "excess" advance and a request to refund the difference, or a UPI approval.
Community reports: 0
How it works
- A caller who says he is an army officer, canteen manager or hospital buyer places a large order and sends an ID card and a photo in uniform.
- He then claims to have overpaid and asks you to refund the extra, or sends a QR code or payment request you must approve to "receive" money.
- The excess payment is fake, and approving the request or entering your UPI PIN sends your own money to him.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Jai Hind. I am a captain from the unit canteen. We need 200 kg of rice and 50 packets of tea. Payment will come from our defence account, please share your UPI.
Sir, by mistake I sent Rs 40,000 instead of Rs 4,000. Please return Rs 36,000 urgently, my senior will scold me. See screenshot.
Red flags
- Uniform photo and ID card sent unasked
- "Excess" payment with a refund request
- Asked to scan QR or enter PIN to receive
- Big order with no bargaining on price
The one question to ask
Do you ever need to enter your UPI PIN or scan a QR code to receive money?
Already paid or shared details?
Call 1930 at once: in the first hour the money can often still be frozen before it moves on. Then call your bank on the number printed on your card, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots of every message and payment.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Fake police or paramilitary mess order to a caterer
- "Army officer" renting your property with an advance trick
- Hospital ordering bulk medicines with a refund request