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
Shopping & Services · Donation fraud
Fake Charity Appeal Scam
A person or page poses as a charitable organization, often around a crisis or emotionally compelling cause The objective is typically to divert donations to the fraudster rather than the claimed cause.
Also called charity scam, donation scam
Banking & Payments · Support impersonation
Fake Customer Care / Helpline Scam
A victim searches online or on social media for customer support and reaches a number controlled by fraudsters The objective is typically to steal credentials or induce unauthorized payments while pretending to solve the original problem.
Also called fake helpline, fake support number
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
Investment & Trading · Fake privileged-access platform
Fake Institutional / VIP Trading App Scam
A victim is offered special institutional, VIP or privileged trading access through a nonstandard app/platform The objective is typically to collect deposits through a fake or unauthorized trading environment.
Also called VIP trading scam, institutional account scam
Jobs & Earnings · SMS recruitment fraud
Fake Job Offer SMS Scam
An unsolicited SMS advertises an easy or attractive job opportunity The objective is typically to steal money/data or funnel the victim into another cyber-fraud scheme.
Also called job SMS scam, work from home SMS
Jobs & Earnings · Recruitment fraud
Fake Job Racket
A fraudulent recruiter or network offers jobs that do not exist or misrepresents the work/location/employer The objective is typically to take money/data or expose the victim to exploitation through a fake recruitment process.
Also called fake placement, recruitment scam
Shopping & Services · Fake merchant
Fake Online Store / E-commerce Scam
A fraudulent online shop is set up to look like a real merchant and advertise attractive products/offers The objective is typically to collect payment/data without delivering the promised legitimate goods or service.
Also called fake ecommerce site, shopping website scam
Government & Authority Impersonation · Central-bank impersonation
Fake RBI Fund / Compensation Offer Scam
A message promises a large sum, remittance, compensation or fund allegedly connected to RBI or another public authority The objective is typically to collect repeated advance fees before disappearing.
Also called RBI compensation scam, fund release scam
Government & Authority Impersonation · Recruitment impersonation
Fake RBI Recruitment / Job Offer Scam
An unsolicited email or message offers employment allegedly from RBI The objective is typically to steal information or money using a fake RBI recruitment pretext.
Also called RBI recruitment scam
Government & Authority Impersonation · Central-bank impersonation
Fake RBI Website Credential Scam
A lookalike website imitates RBI branding and may advertise a bank-verification function The objective is typically to capture sensitive banking information for identity theft or financial fraud.
Also called RBI phishing site, fake Reserve Bank site
Shopping & Services · Merchant impersonation
Fake Restaurant Website Scam
A fake website impersonates a restaurant or food business The objective is typically to steal payment information or collect fraudulent payments.
Also called fake food ordering site, restaurant phishing
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.