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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- #66
Pension stopped unless the life certificate is updated
A caller from the "pension office" says your pension will stop unless you update your life certificate, and asks for the OTP.
Senior citizensPhone callSMSFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #67
"Your Aadhaar was used in money laundering" call
A caller says your Aadhaar was used in a crime, connects you to fake officers, and pushes you into a digital arrest.
Senior citizensPhone callFull guideFake police and officials - #68
Transfer savings to an "RBI verification account"
Fake officers tell you to move your savings or fixed deposits to an "RBI account" for checking, promising to return them.
Senior citizensPhone callWhatsAppFull guideFake police and officials - #69
Fake bank manager: "debit card blocked, share the OTP"
A caller posing as your bank manager says your card is blocked and asks for card details and the OTP to unblock it.
Senior citizensPhone callFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #70
Fixed deposit or senior citizen scheme with unusually high interest
An agent offers a deposit or scheme for senior citizens at an interest rate well above any bank's.
Senior citizensPhone callIn personFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #71
Old insurance policy maturity or bonus release call
A caller says a large bonus on an old policy is waiting and must be released with a fee or by buying a new policy.
Senior citizensPhone callFull guidePrizes, refunds and offers - #72
Health insurance renewal or health card update
A message or call about renewing health insurance or a health card asks for payment or an OTP through an unofficial channel.
Senior citizensPhone callSMSFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #73
Free health check-up camp asking for card details
A free check-up at home or a camp asks for card details or an OTP to "register", and money is taken.
Senior citizensPhone callIn personFull guideBank, UPI and cards - #74
Tech support pop-up saying the computer is infected
A loud pop-up says the computer is infected and gives a number to call; the "technician" takes remote control and payment.
Senior citizensWebsiteFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #75
Romance or companionship scam aimed at the widowed
A warm online friend, often "abroad", builds a relationship and then needs money for an emergency or a gift.
Senior citizensSocial mediaAppFull guideRomance, sextortion and blackmail - #76
Online temple offering, prasad or puja booking
A website or page copies a temple and takes payment for pujas, prasad or darshan that are never arranged.
Senior citizensWebsiteSocial mediaFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #77
Property tax or municipal notice link
A message about pending property tax or a municipal penalty asks you to pay through a link.
Senior citizensSMSFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #78
Hearing aid or health device "free trial" charged to a card
A free trial of a health device needs card details and leads to large or repeated charges.
Senior citizensPhone callFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #79
Grandchild abroad needing bail or hospital money
A call or message says a grandchild studying abroad is in jail or hospital and needs money sent today.
Senior citizensPhone callWhatsAppFull guideFamily emergencies and impersonation - #80
Pension arrears or allowance release "processing fee"
A caller says pension arrears or a dearness allowance hike are due and a processing fee must be paid to release them.
Senior citizensPhone callFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #81
Land record or property document verification fee
Someone claiming to be from the land records office says your documents need verification for a fee to avoid a dispute.
Senior citizensPhone callIn personFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #82
Agent offering to recover unclaimed dividends or old shares for a fee
An agent offers to recover old shares or unclaimed dividends and asks for fees or document access that is misused.
Senior citizensPhone callEmailFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #83
"Gift from abroad" held at customs until duty is paid
An online friend sends a "gift" that is held at customs, and an officer asks for duty and clearance charges.
Senior citizensPhone callWhatsAppFull guideRomance, sextortion and blackmail - #84
Fake hospital bill or ambulance emergency for a relative
A caller from a "hospital" says a relative was admitted after an accident and an advance payment is needed now.
Senior citizensPhone callFull guideFamily emergencies and impersonation - #85
Fake legal notice for an unpaid loan, with settlement by transfer
A notice with court or lawyer branding claims an unpaid loan and offers settlement by immediate transfer.
Senior citizensWhatsAppEmailFull guideLoans and credit - #119
Door-to-door offer to clean or polish gold jewellery
Strangers at the door offer to clean or polish your gold for a small fee, then switch it or dissolve part of it in a chemical liquid.
Senior citizensIn personFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #120
Unknown online pharmacy with cheap medicines and advance payment
A website or social media page sells medicines at very low prices, takes payment in advance, and sends nothing, the wrong thing or fake medicines.
Senior citizensWebsiteSocial mediaFull guideShopping, bookings and services