How they actually get people.
Every one of these is running in India right now. The script barely changes - which is exactly why it is catchable.
Scam types
Tax, Insurance & Benefits
- All scams
- Account Takeover & Identity10
- Advance Fee & Prize5
- Banking & Payments16
- Business & Corporate6
- Crypto2
- Device & Malware6
- Extortion2
- Government & Authority Impersonation13
- Investment & Trading12
- Jobs & Earnings6
- Loans & Credit1
- Relationship & Social3
- Shopping & Services8
- Tax, Insurance & Benefits4
- UPI & QR7
4 scams
Tax, Insurance & Benefits · Provident-fund impersonation
EPFO Impersonation / KYC Phishing Scam
A call, message or social-media contact claims to be from EPFO and asks for account or identity information The objective is typically to take over accounts or misuse personal/financial information.
Also called EPFO KYC scam, UAN phishing
Tax, Insurance & Benefits · Provident-fund impersonation
Fake EPFO Website / App Scam
A site or app presents itself as an EPFO service outside the official EPFO/UMANG channels The objective is typically to capture credentials or sensitive information through a fake EPFO service.
Also called EPFO fake app, PF fake website
Tax, Insurance & Benefits · Tax-document impersonation
Fake Income Tax Notice / Correspondence Scam
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.
Also called fake ITD order, fake tax notice
Tax, Insurance & Benefits · Insurance authority impersonation
Insurance Regulator Spurious Call / Fictitious Offer Scam
A phone call or offer uses insurance-regulator/insurance language to present a fictitious financial opportunity or benefit The objective is typically to extract money or sensitive information through a fictitious insurance-related offer.
Also called IRDAI call scam, insurance offer scam
The tactics
Eight scripts that account for most of what lands on Indian phones.
The one that empties accounts fastestKYC / PAN / Aadhaar "expiry"
An SMS or WhatsApp from "your bank" says your KYC has expired and the account will be frozen within 24 hours. A link takes you to a page that looks exactly right, and asks for your card number, then the OTP.
The one that starts with ₹150 creditedPart-time task job
A WhatsApp message from an unknown international number offers ₹2,000-5,000 a day for liking YouTube videos or rating hotels. You’re moved to Telegram. The first three tasks pay real money into your account. Then comes the "prepaid task" - deposit ₹10,000 to unlock a bigger commission. Every deposit needs one more deposit to withdraw.
The one people are too embarrassed to reportDigital arrest
A call claiming to be CBI, Customs, or the Narcotics Bureau: a parcel in your name contained drugs, or your Aadhaar was used for money laundering. They move you to a video call with a fake police backdrop and keep you on it for hours, telling you not to contact anyone. Then they demand a "verification deposit" to a bank account.
The one that reverses the direction of moneyQR code "to receive"
You’re selling something on OLX or Facebook Marketplace. The "buyer" sends a QR code and says scan it to receive the payment. Sometimes they even send a small amount first to build trust.
The one that uses your own screen against youFake customer care + screen share
You Google a helpline number for a refund and land on a paid ad or an SEO’d fake page. The "agent" is helpful, then asks you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or Quick Support so they can "process the refund faster". Once installed, they watch you type your PIN.
The one that looks like a favourWrong transfer / refund reversal
Money arrives in your account. A stranger calls, distressed, saying they transferred it by mistake and please send it back. The incoming money is often from a stolen account or a credit that will be reversed - you end up paying twice.
The one that ends in blackmailInstant loan apps
A loan approved in four minutes with no paperwork - but the app demands access to your contacts and photo gallery. Repayment terms turn out to be brutal, and when you fall behind, they message everyone in your contacts and send morphed photos.
The one dressed up as financial literacyWhatsApp trading group
You’re added to a group with a "SEBI-registered" analyst and hundreds of members posting screenshots of profits. The calls are free and seem accurate. Then comes an invitation to a private app with a special IPO allotment or block deal. The app shows your money growing. It just can’t be withdrawn.