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
101 scams
Account Takeover & Identity · Telephony impersonation
Caller ID Spoofing Impersonation Scam
A fraudster falsifies the caller ID shown on the victim's phone to disguise the true origin The objective is typically to increase success of impersonation, credential theft or fraudulent payments.
Also called fake caller ID, spoofed call
Banking & Payments · Card fraud
Card-Not-Present / E-commerce Card Fraud
Card credentials are stolen or socially engineered for use without the physical card The objective is typically to perform unauthorized online card transactions.
Also called CNP fraud, online card fraud
Business & Corporate · Executive impersonation
CEO / Executive Whaling Fraud
A targeted message impersonates a senior executive or targets senior personnel with an urgent financial request The objective is typically to exploit executive authority to divert money or sensitive data.
Also called CEO fraud, executive impersonation
Business & Corporate · Mailbox compromise
Corporate Email Account Takeover
An employee/business mailbox is compromised through phishing, credential reuse or social engineering The objective is typically to enable BEC, invoice diversion, data theft or broader account compromise.
Also called email takeover, mailbox compromise
Account Takeover & Identity · Password reuse attack
Credential-Stuffing Account Takeover
Stolen username/password pairs are automatically tried against other online accounts The objective is typically to take over accounts and potentially access money, identity data or contacts.
Also called credential stuffing, password reuse attack
Crypto · Fraudulent crypto investment
Crypto Investment Scam
A crypto-related opportunity is promoted as an investment with attractive or unrealistic gains The objective is typically to take funds or crypto through a fraudulent investment setup.
Also called crypto trading scam, cryptocurrency scam
Government & Authority Impersonation · Customs impersonation
Customs Authority Impersonation Scam
A caller or message invokes Customs to justify a fund, parcel, clearance or payment demand The objective is typically to extract advance fees or credentials through false Customs authority.
Also called customs clearance scam, fake customs officer
Investment & Trading · Off-market trading
Dabba Trading Scheme
Trading is offered outside recognized exchange mechanisms, often through informal operators The objective is typically to expose the participant to illegal/unregulated trading and counterparty loss.
Also called bucket shop, dabba, off-market trading
Banking & Payments · Card fraud
Debit / Credit Card Fraud
Card details, authentication information or the physical/payment context are abused to make unauthorized transactions The objective is typically to make unauthorized card payments or withdrawals.
Also called card fraud, credit card scam, debit card scam
Account Takeover & Identity · AI-enabled identity fraud
Deepfake / Synthetic Identity Financial Fraud
AI-generated faces, videos or synthetic identities are used to defeat or deceive financial authentication The objective is typically to bypass identity checks and enable account, payment or other financial fraud.
Also called AI identity scam, deepfake KYC fraud
Government & Authority Impersonation · Delivery-service impersonation
Delivery-Agent USSD Call-Forwarding Scam
A caller posing as a delivery agent asks the victim to dial a code or follow unusual phone instructions The objective is typically to redirect calls/OTPs and facilitate account takeover or financial fraud.
Also called USSD forwarding scam, delivery OTP diversion
Banking & Payments · Securities-account takeover
Demat / Depository Account Fraud
A demat or depository account is targeted through unauthorized access, impersonation or credential theft The objective is typically to take control of or misuse securities holdings/account access.
Also called demat scam, depository fraud
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.