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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- #86
Fake payment screenshot
A customer shows or sends a screenshot of a successful payment that never reached your account.
Shops and small businessesIn personWhatsAppFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #87
QR code sticker swapped on the counter
Someone pastes their own QR code over yours, so customers' payments go to the scammer.
Shops and small businessesIn personFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #88
Spoof payment app showing a fake success screen
A customer uses an app that mimics a payment app and shows a convincing success screen and sound without paying.
Shops and small businessesIn personAppFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #89
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.
Shops and small businessesPhone callWhatsAppFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #90
Fake GST notice or registration cancellation message
A message says your GST registration will be cancelled or a penalty is due, and asks you to pay or log in through a link.
Shops and small businessesEmailSMSFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #91
Supplier's bank details "changed" by email
An email that looks like your supplier's says their bank account has changed, so your next payment goes to the scammer.
Shops and small businessesEmailWhatsAppFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #92
Fake merchant loan or credit line with a fee
A caller offers an easy business loan linked to your payment app but needs a processing fee first.
Shops and small businessesPhone callSMSFull guideLoans and credit - #93
Fake Google listing or "review removal" service
A caller offers to verify your business listing or remove bad reviews for a fee, or threatens to suspend your listing.
Shops and small businessesPhone callEmailFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #94
Fake trademark or domain renewal invoice
An official-looking invoice demands payment for a trademark listing or domain renewal that you never needed.
Shops and small businessesEmailFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #95
Fake inspector or municipal fine on the shop
Someone posing as a food, weights or municipal inspector threatens to seal the shop unless a fine is paid on the spot.
Shops and small businessesIn personPhone callFull guideFake police and officials - #96
Delivery agent asking for an OTP to "complete" a return or pickup
A "delivery agent" asks for an OTP to complete a return or pickup, and the OTP authorises a payment or account change.
Shops and small businessesPhone callIn personFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #97
Marketplace seller onboarding fee
A caller offers to register your business as a seller on a large marketplace for a fee the marketplace never charges.
Shops and small businessesPhone callWebsiteFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #98
Fake government tender or supplier registration fee
A website or email offers a government tender or supplier registration for a fee, on a copy of an official portal.
Shops and small businessesEmailWebsiteFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #99
Fake technician swapping the payment soundbox or card machine
A "technician" from the payment company replaces or "updates" your soundbox or card machine, and diverts your payments.
Shops and small businessesIn personFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #100
Fake penalty on a commercial electricity connection
A message says your shop's electricity connection has a penalty or will be cut, and asks for payment to a personal number.
Shops and small businessesSMSPhone callFull guideBills, KYC and government services