In short
A victim's mobile identity or SIM-linked access is compromised as part of a payment-fraud chain The objective is typically to enable unauthorized account access and payments.
What it is
Fraudsters exploit control of mobile communication or authentication to impersonate the victim. The victim is then pushed to intercept authentication or use the compromised identity to access financial services.
How it starts
A victim's mobile identity or SIM-linked access is compromised as part of a payment-fraud chain.
What they tell you
Fraudsters exploit control of mobile communication or authentication to impersonate the victim
What they want you to do
Intercept authentication or use the compromised identity to access financial services
How you lose money
enable unauthorized account access and payments
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
identity theft | account takeover | SIM compromise | OTP interception
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Use only the bank/payment app or official contact details; never share OTP, PIN, password or screen access; verify the payee and transaction purpose before approving.
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.