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9 kinds of scam

Browse scams by type

The same handful of tricks sit under most scams in India. Find the one that matches what is happening, learn the signs, and go straight to the guide that says what to do.

By type of scam

  • Calls from police and officials

    A caller says they are police, a court, the CBI or a regulator, and that you are in trouble.

    5 guides

  • Fake government notices and refunds

    A message about your Aadhaar, PAN, tax refund, voter roll, traffic fine or electricity bill, with a link.

    6 guides

  • Bank, KYC and UPI fraud

    Your account will be blocked, your KYC is due, or someone wants to send you money.

    4 guides

  • SMS and WhatsApp traps

    A delivery problem, a message from your boss, a file to install, or a sudden flood of OTPs.

    5 guides

  • Jobs, loans and investments

    Paid tasks, instant loans, a recruiter with a test project, or returns that keep growing.

    4 guides

  • AI voice clones and deepfakes

    A relative's voice in distress, or a video call from someone you know that is not them.

    2 guides

  • Sextortion and blackmail

    A video call turns explicit, then a demand for money to stop a recording being shared.

    2 guides

  • Malware and ransomware

    An app or file that takes over a phone or computer, or locks a business's files for ransom.

    3 guides

  • Staying ahead of scams

    The habits that stop most scams before they start, and what strangers can find about you.

    3 guides

By who it targets

Scammers pick a script to fit the person. These are the guides that deal with each group directly.

Rules that stop most scams

Short enough to repeat to someone over the phone. Each links to where it is explained.

  1. Nobody real will ask for your OTP.

    Banks never ask you to share one. Anyone asking is taking over an account.

  2. You never enter a UPI PIN to receive money.

    A PIN is only for paying. A request dressed up as money coming in takes it out.

  3. Nobody is arrested on a video call.

    Indian law has no arrest by phone or video call. Hang up, whoever they say they are.

  4. Urgency is the scam. Pause, then call back.

    Use a number you look up yourself, never the one they gave you.

  5. A padlock does not mean a site is safe.

    It only means the connection is encrypted. Anyone can get one for any website, free. Read the address instead.

  6. Never install an app someone sends you.

    An APK from a chat can read the OTPs that arrive on your phone.

  7. A job that asks for a deposit is not a job.

    Real work pays you. Deposits to unlock tasks or earnings are always the scam.

  8. A familiar voice is not proof.

    Three seconds of audio can clone a voice. Hang up and call them back on their usual number.