In short
A message, letter or email presents a notice/order/summons as if issued by the Income Tax Department The objective is typically to use a false tax document to obtain payment or sensitive information.
What it is
The correspondence uses tax authority and official-looking details to pressure the recipient. The victim is then pushed to pay money, disclose information or follow contacts/links without independently authenticating the notice.
How it starts
A message, letter or email presents a notice/order/summons as if issued by the Income Tax Department.
What they tell you
The correspondence uses tax authority and official-looking details to pressure the recipient
What they want you to do
Pay money, disclose information or follow contacts/links without independently authenticating the notice
How you lose money
use a false tax document to obtain payment or sensitive information
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
authority | fear | urgency | forged document | impersonation | phishing
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Use only the authority's official portal/contact details; authenticate notices where an official verification service exists; never disclose OTP/PIN to unsolicited callers.
If it already happened
Contact the bank/payment provider immediately if money moved; report financial cyber fraud promptly via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in; preserve messages, transaction IDs, phone numbers and URLs.