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.
No scam matches that search. Try another word.
- #1
Paid to like videos or rate hotels, then asked to invest
A "part-time job" pays small amounts for easy tasks, then asks you to deposit money to unlock bigger earnings that never come back.
Students and first jobsWhatsAppSocial mediaFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #2
Job or internship offer that asks for a fee
A job or internship is offered without a proper interview, and you must pay for registration, training, a laptop or a background check first.
Students and first jobsWhatsAppEmailSocial mediaFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #3
Overseas job offer that leads to a scam compound abroad
A well-paid job abroad, often in Southeast Asia, turns out to be forced work in a compound that runs online frauds.
Students and first jobsWhatsAppSocial mediaFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #4
Instant loan app followed by harassment and morphed photos
An app gives a small loan in minutes, then demands far more than agreed and threatens to send morphed photos to your contacts.
Students and first jobsAppSMSFull guideLoans and credit - #5
Sextortion video call
A stranger on a video call records you, or edits your face into an explicit clip, and then demands money to stop sharing it.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWhatsAppPhone callFull guideRomance, sextortion and blackmail - #6
Dating or romance profile that turns into a money request
A match or online friend builds a relationship over weeks, then needs money for an emergency, a visa, a gift at customs or an investment.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaAppFull guideRomance, sextortion and blackmail - #7
Free game currency or skins through a login link
A link promises free diamonds, skins or UC, and asks you to sign in, handing over your gaming or social media account.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWebsiteFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #8
Crypto trading or airdrop group promising guaranteed returns
A group shows members making daily profits on a crypto or forex platform; you deposit, see fake gains, and cannot withdraw.
Students and first jobsWhatsAppSocial mediaAppFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #9
"Rent your bank account" or commission offer
You are paid a commission to let money pass through your bank account or UPI ID, which makes you part of a fraud.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWhatsAppFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #10
Fake rental, PG or hostel listing asking for a token deposit
A room at a good price is offered by an "owner" who cannot meet in person and wants a token deposit before a visit.
Students and first jobsWebsiteWhatsAppFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #11
Concert, match or event ticket resale scam
Tickets for a sold-out event are offered on social media; you pay and receive nothing, or a fake ticket.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWhatsAppFull guideShopping, bookings and services - #12
Brand collaboration offer that asks for a fee
A "brand" offers a paid collaboration but first needs a fee for onboarding, product shipping or a verified badge.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaEmailFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #13
Paid online course with a "job guarantee"
A course promises a guaranteed job or refund, takes a large fee or a loan in your name, and the guarantee never applies.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWebsiteFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #14
Account takeover through a "vote for me" link or a code request
A friend's account asks you to vote in a contest or forward a code, and the code hands your account to the scammer.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWhatsAppFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #15
Fake giveaway or contest on Instagram
A copy of a brand or influencer account says you won, and asks for a delivery or tax fee to send the prize.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaFull guidePrizes, refunds and offers - #16
Freelance work with an advance fee or an overpayment refund
A client pays too much by mistake and asks for the difference back, and the original payment later reverses.
Students and first jobsEmailSocial mediaFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #17
"Your account will be deleted for copyright violation"
A message posing as the platform says your account breaks copyright and must be verified through a link that steals your login.
Students and first jobsEmailSocial mediaFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #18
Scholarship or education loan processing fee
You are told a scholarship or education loan is approved and only a processing fee stands in the way.
Students and first jobsSMSWhatsAppPhone callFull guideBills, KYC and government services - #19
Exam paper leak or marks-increase offer
Someone sells a "leaked" paper or promises higher marks for a payment, and nothing real is delivered.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaWhatsAppFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #20
Fake government job recruitment with an exam fee
A website copies a government recruitment notice and collects application fees for posts that do not exist.
Students and first jobsWebsiteSMSFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #110
Study-abroad or visa consultant selling fake admission letters or visas
A consultant promises admission abroad or a "guaranteed" visa, collects fees, and hands over admission letters or visas that turn out to be fake.
Students and first jobsWebsiteWhatsAppFull guideJobs, exams and easy money - #111
Colour prediction or betting app that lets you win small amounts first
An app or website promises quick money for guessing a colour or number, lets you win and withdraw a little at first, then blocks withdrawals once you have put in more.
Students and first jobsAppSocial mediaFull guideInvesting and money schemes - #112
Blue tick, followers or monetisation offered for a fee
Someone offers to get you a verified badge, more followers or monetisation for a fee, or sends a "verification" link that steals your account.
Students and first jobsSocial mediaFull guideFake apps, links and helplines - #113
Data entry or form-filling job that ends in a fake legal notice
A work-from-home typing job sets a target you cannot meet, then says you broke the "contract" and sends a fake legal notice demanding a penalty.
Students and first jobsWhatsAppEmailFull guideJobs, exams and easy money