Scam Scam library
Every scam follows a pattern: fear, greed or urgency. Here are the 25 most common ones in India, each with a real-looking example and what to do.
Test yourself: take the 2-minute gameMoney & banking
- UPI scams: PIN, QR code and collect requestsOne rule stops most UPI fraud: your PIN is only for sending money. Receiving needs no PIN, no QR scan and no OTP.
- OTP scams: 'I sent my OTP to you by mistake'No bank, company, officer or friend needs your OTP over a call or chat. If someone asks, it's a scam.
- KYC update scams: 'Your account will be blocked today'KYC for your bank, PAN, FASTag or gas connection never happens through an SMS link.
- Fake link scams: parcels, refunds and reward pointsUrgency, a reward and an odd web address together mean stop. Open the official app instead.
- Cashback and scratch-card reward scamsReal cashback is credited automatically. If a 'reward' asks for your PIN, it's taking money, not giving it.
- SIM swap scams: 'Free 5G SIM upgrade'Whoever controls your SIM receives your OTPs. Never share your SIM's 20-digit number or approve an unexpected SIM change.
- Aadhaar (AePS) fingerprint fraudMoney can be withdrawn with just your Aadhaar number and a copied fingerprint. Locking your biometrics stops it.
Fake officials
- Digital arrest scam: fake police and CBI video callsThere is no 'digital arrest' in Indian law. No police, CBI, customs or RBI officer arrests anyone on a video call or asks for money.
- Electricity bill scam: 'Power will be cut tonight'Power companies don't send 'call our officer on this mobile number' messages.
- APK file scams: e-challans and wedding cardsAn .apk file is an app, not a document. Don't install one that arrives on WhatsApp or SMS.
Jobs, loans & investments
- Part-time job and task scamsNobody pays you just to like videos, and real employers never charge a fee to hire you.
- Fake jobs abroad (cyber slavery)An easy high-paying job abroad with a WhatsApp-only interview is a major warning sign.
- Stock tips and investment scamsMarkets have no guaranteed returns. A group promising 300% is after your money.
- Instant loan app scams and blackmailBorrow only from banks and RBI-regulated lenders. Illegal apps harvest your contacts and photos to blackmail you.
- Lottery, prize and bonus scamsYou can't win a lottery you never entered, and real prizes never ask for a fee first.
Family, friends & shopping
- 'New number' family scams and AI voice clonesScammers pose as your child or relative, by text from a 'new number' or with an AI-cloned voice.
- Romance scams: the gift stuck at customsIf someone you've never met in person needs money, especially for a 'gift', it's a scam.
- Sextortion: 'Your video call is recorded'It isn't your fault. Paying makes it worse. Don't pay, don't engage, and report it.
- Fake shopping sites: the ₹9,999 iPhoneA 90% discount, a brand-new website and 'prepaid only' means the product will never arrive.
- Fake customer care numbersTake helpline numbers only from the official app, website, bill or card.
At work
- CEO fraud: the boss who needs gift cardsUrgency, secrecy and an unusual payment request from 'leadership' should always be verified on a known channel.
- Invoice fraud: 'Our bank details have changed'Any change to a vendor's bank details must be confirmed by calling a number you already have on file.
- MFA fatigue: the prompts that won't stopIf you didn't just try to sign in, deny the prompt, every time.
- Work phishing emails: shared files, payroll and passwordsBefore you click, read the sender's domain. Outside domains asking you to sign in are the most common attack at work.
- Fake IT support calls and chatsReal IT will never ask for your password or MFA code, or ask you to start a remote session with an outsider.