The 120 most common scams in India
From students to grandparents: how each scam works, what it looks like and what to do. The guide grows from what people report in the community.
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- #21
Bank KYC or PAN update link: "account blocked today"
A message says your bank account or app will be blocked today unless you update KYC or PAN through a link.
Working adultsSMSWhatsAppFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #22
Credit card reward points expiring link
A message says your reward points worth thousands expire today, and the redemption link collects your card details and OTP.
Working adultsSMSFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #23
Credit card limit increase or annual fee waiver call
A caller from the "bank" offers a higher limit or a fee waiver and asks for card details and the OTP to process it.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #24
Electricity disconnection tonight message
A message says your power will be cut tonight for an unpaid bill and gives a personal number to call.
Working adultsSMSWhatsAppFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #25
Fake customer care number found through a search
You search for a helpline and call a number planted by scammers, who then guide you into sharing access or paying.
Working adultsWebsitePhone callFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #26
Courier parcel "seized with drugs" call
A courier "executive" says a parcel in your name was seized with drugs and connects you to fake police.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideFake police and officials - #27
Digital arrest by fake police, CBI, ED or customs officers
Fake officers keep you on a video call for hours, claim you are under "digital arrest", and make you transfer savings for "verification".
Working adultsPhone callWhatsAppFull guideFake police and officials - #28
Fake telecom regulator call: "your number will be disconnected"
A recorded call says your mobile number will be cut in two hours for illegal use, and routes you to fake officers.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideFake police and officials - #29
Income tax refund link
A message says an income tax refund is approved and asks you to confirm bank details through a link.
Working adultsSMSEmailFull guidePrizes, refunds and offers - #30
Fake traffic e-challan link or app
A message says you have an unpaid traffic fine and asks you to pay through a link or an app file.
Working adultsSMSWhatsAppFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #31
App file on WhatsApp disguised as an invitation, bill or bank update
A file ending in .apk is sent as a wedding card, a bill or a bank update; installing it lets scammers read your messages and OTPs.
Working adultsWhatsAppFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #32
Stock tips WhatsApp group with a fake trading app
A group run by a "market expert" shows huge profits and moves you to a fake trading app where your money only grows on screen.
Working adultsWhatsAppSocial mediaAppFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #33
IPO allotment or "institutional account" group
A group promises guaranteed IPO allotments or discounted block deals through a special account that only exists on a fake app.
Working adultsWhatsAppAppFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #34
Pre-approved loan with an upfront processing fee
A caller offers a pre-approved loan at a low rate but needs a processing fee or insurance payment first.
Working adultsPhone callSMSFull guideLoans and credit - #35
Insurance bonus, lapsed policy refund or "unclaimed money" call
A caller says money is due on an old or lapsed policy and that a fee or tax must be paid to release it.
Working adultsPhone callFull guidePrizes, refunds and offers - #36
FASTag or LPG KYC update
A message says your FASTag or gas connection will be blocked unless you update KYC through a link or a call.
Working adultsSMSPhone callFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #37
SIM swap or "eSIM upgrade" request
A caller offers a 5G or eSIM upgrade and asks you to forward an SMS, which moves your number to their device.
Working adultsPhone callSMSFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #38
Request to dial a call forwarding code
A caller asks you to dial a short code to fix a network or delivery issue, which forwards your calls and OTPs to them.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #39
UPI payment request or link presented as receiving money
A buyer or caller sends a payment link or request and tells you to enter your UPI PIN to receive money, which instead sends money from you. Since 1 October 2025 ordinary people can no longer send each other UPI collect requests, so the trick now comes as a link or a request from a business account.
Working adultsAppPhone callWhatsAppFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #40
"Scan this QR code to receive payment"
A buyer sends a QR code and asks you to scan it to receive money; scanning and entering your PIN pays them instead.
Working adultsWhatsAppAppFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #41
"Sent money to you by mistake, please return it"
A fake credit SMS or a small real transfer is followed by a request to return a larger "mistaken" amount.
Working adultsSMSPhone callFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #42
Marketplace buyer or seller claiming to be an army officer
A buyer or seller on a marketplace says they are in the army and cannot meet, then asks for advance payments or UPI approvals.
Working adultsWebsiteWhatsAppFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #43
Fake shopping website with deep discounts
An ad leads to a store with branded products at huge discounts; you pay and receive nothing, a fake, or your card is misused.
Working adultsWebsiteSocial mediaFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #44
Fake holiday, hotel or pilgrimage booking
A website or ad offers helicopter, darshan or hotel bookings, takes payment, and the booking never existed.
Working adultsWebsiteSocial mediaFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #45
Screen-sharing app "support" call
A caller from a bank, an app or a company asks you to install a screen-sharing app to fix a problem, and then takes over your phone.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #101
Request to merge a call with a "friend" or "the bank"
A stranger asks you to merge his call with another incoming call, which is really your bank's OTP call, so he can hear the code and take money from your account.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #102
Deepfake video of a famous person promoting a trading platform
A video ad that looks and sounds like a well-known business leader, film star or news anchor promises big, safe returns, but it is made with AI and leads to a fake trading site.
Working adultsSocial mediaWebsiteFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #103
"Your parcel is held, update your address" link with a small fee
A message in the name of India Post or a courier says your parcel could not be delivered and asks you to pay a small redelivery fee through a link, which steals your card details.
Working adultsSMSWhatsAppFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #104
Message from your "boss" asking for gift cards or an urgent payment
Someone uses the photo and name of your boss or company head on WhatsApp or email and asks you to quietly buy gift cards or make an urgent payment.
Working adultsWhatsAppEmailFull guideFamily emergencies and impersonation - #105
Credit score repair or loan settlement for an upfront fee
An agent promises to raise your credit score, remove late payments or settle your loans cheaply, but takes a fee and does nothing, or hands you a worthless certificate.
Working adultsPhone callSocial mediaFull guideLoans and credit - #106
Small UPI credit from a stranger followed by a payment request
A stranger sends a small amount to your UPI account, then a request for a larger amount arrives, in the hope that you enter your PIN on it while you rush to check your balance.
Working adultsAppSMSFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #107
Puppy or pet sold online, with fee after fee before delivery
A seller online offers a puppy or other pet at a good price, then keeps adding charges for transport, a cage, vaccination, insurance or certificates, and the pet never arrives.
Working adultsWebsiteSocial mediaFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #108
Missed calls from foreign numbers meant to make you call back
Your phone rings once or twice from an international number and stops, in the hope that you call back and run up high charges or get drawn into a scam.
Working adultsPhone callFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #109
PF withdrawal or KYC "agent" asking for a fee or your login
An "agent" or a fake website offers to help you withdraw your provident fund or fix your PF KYC, and takes a fee, your UAN password or an OTP.
Working adultsPhone callWebsiteFull guideBills, KYC and government services