⚠️Scam Intelligence

India Scam Intelligence Database

Every major scam type targeting India — documented with definitions, warning signs, real examples, and step-by-step prevention.

Scam Types Documented

1M+

Reports in Database

1930

Emergency Helpline

Been scammed?Call 1930 immediately (24/7 cybercrime helpline)|File report at cybercrime.gov.in|Contact your bank to freeze the transaction

Quick Navigation

Digital Arrest Scam UPI Fraud Phishing Investment Scams Job Scams Romance Scams Loan Fraud & Illegal Lending Apps Cryptocurrency Scams

Digital Arrest Scam

Critical RiskRapidly GrowingImpersonation

Fraudsters impersonate Indian law enforcement officers (police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau) via video call and falsely claim the victim is under "digital arrest" for fabricated crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or terrorism financing. The victim is isolated and pressured to pay large sums to avoid fake prosecution.

⚠ Warning Signs

•Unexpected video call from someone claiming to be a government officer
•Demand to stay on call and not tell anyone (isolation tactic)
•Display of fake arrest warrants, court orders, or official letterheads
•Threats of immediate arrest if payment is not made
•Request for wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
•Use of professional-looking backdrops mimicking police stations

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Real Indian authorities NEVER conduct arrests via video call
✓Real authorities NEVER demand payment over phone to avoid charges
✓Hang up immediately — there is no such thing as "digital arrest" in Indian law
✓Call 1930 immediately to report and seek guidance
✓Do not share any personal, financial, or account information

🚨 Call 1930 immediately if targeted

Full guide →

UPI Fraud

High RiskVery CommonPayment Fraud

Fraudulent exploitation of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. Scammers trick victims into scanning fraudulent QR codes, accepting fake collect requests, or sending money to impersonated merchants.

⚠ Warning Signs

•QR codes shared to "receive" money — QR codes only send money
•"Collect request" from unknown UPI IDs asking for OTP confirmation
•Fake payment confirmation screenshots shown before actual payment
•Pressure to pay first and receive goods/refund later
•UPI IDs with slight misspellings of known brands (amazonpay@fraud vs amazonpay)
•Refund scams asking you to pay to receive a larger refund

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Verify ALL UPI IDs at rakshaai.co/upi-id-checker before payment
✓You never need to scan a QR code to receive money
✓Never share OTP — UPI OTPs are never required to receive money
✓Screenshot payment confirmations from your own bank app, not from the sender
✓Confirm large payments via a call to the recipient on a known number

🚨 Call your bank and 1930 within 1 hour of fraudulent transfer

Full guide →

Phishing

High RiskVery CommonWebsite Fraud

Creation of fake websites that mimic legitimate Indian banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI), government portals (IRCTC, income tax, EPFO, GST portal), or popular e-commerce platforms (Flipkart, Amazon, Meesho) to steal login credentials, banking OTPs, and personal data.

⚠ Warning Signs

•URL contains misspellings: "sbionlinebanking.com" vs "onlinesbi.sbi.co.in"
•Domain registered recently (check domain age at rakshaai.co/check)
•Site lacks valid SSL certificate (padlock icon absent or warning shown)
•Received via unsolicited WhatsApp, SMS, or email link
•Asks for full debit card number, CVV, or OTP on a form
•Offers too-good-to-be-true schemes (prize wins, refunds, KYC updates)

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Check EVERY suspicious link at rakshaai.co/check before clicking
✓Bookmark official banking and government portal URLs and use only those
✓Never click banking links in SMS or WhatsApp — navigate directly
✓Enable SMS/email transaction alerts from your bank
✓Install browser security extensions that flag phishing sites

🚨 If credentials entered: change password immediately and call bank

Full guide →

Investment Scams

High RiskGrowingFinancial Fraud

Fraudulent schemes promising guaranteed high returns through fake stock trading apps, Ponzi schemes, WhatsApp/Telegram investment groups, fraudulent mutual fund advisors, and unregulated cryptocurrency platforms. Often use deepfake celebrity endorsements.

⚠ Warning Signs

•Guaranteed returns promised (no legitimate investment guarantees returns)
•Pressure to invest quickly or miss out on "limited" opportunity
•Unregulated platform not registered with SEBI
•Celebrity or influencer endorsements (often deepfaked)
•Withdrawal difficulties once investment is made
•Recruitment of others required to earn commissions (Ponzi structure)

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Verify all investment platforms on SEBI's registered entity list
✓Never invest based on WhatsApp/Telegram group tips
✓Guaranteed returns are always a fraud signal — no exceptions
✓Report unregistered investment advisors to SEBI at sebi.gov.in
✓Test withdrawals with a small amount before investing significantly

🚨 Report to SEBI (sebi.gov.in) and file FIR at cybercrime.gov.in

Full guide →

Job Scams

High RiskVery CommonEmployment Fraud

Fake job offers targeting unemployed or underemployed Indians, requiring upfront registration fees, security deposits, equipment purchases, or training payments before the non-existent job begins. Also includes fraudulent work-from-home task-completion scams.

⚠ Warning Signs

•Job requires upfront payment of any kind before employment
•Salary offered far exceeds market rate for the described work
•Job offer received without applying or interview process
•Tasks involve liking social media posts or watching videos for pay
•Company has no verifiable online presence or registered address
•Payment requested via UPI to personal accounts, not company accounts

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Legitimate employers never require payment from job applicants
✓Verify company registration at mca.gov.in before engaging
✓Research company independently via LinkedIn and Google
✓Never pay "registration fees", "training costs", or "equipment deposits"
✓Report fraudulent job offers to cybercrime.gov.in

🚨 Report at cybercrime.gov.in and call 1930

Full guide →

Romance Scams

Medium-High RiskGrowingSocial Engineering

Fraudsters create fake romantic relationships on dating apps, social media, or matrimonial sites over weeks or months, building emotional trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies (medical crises, travel costs, business problems, legal fees).

⚠ Warning Signs

•Person refuses to meet in person or on verified video call
•Claims to be working abroad (military, oil rig, doctor without borders)
•Builds relationship very quickly with intense affection ("love bombing")
•First money request follows a fabricated emergency story
•Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer specifically
•Profile photos appear in reverse image search on other sites

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Reverse image search all profile photos before developing trust
✓Never send money to someone you have not met in person and verified
✓Be cautious of anyone who refuses extended video calls
✓Discuss with trusted family or friends before any financial decision
✓Report romance fraud profiles to the platform immediately

🚨 Report to cybercrime.gov.in; contact bank if money transferred

Full guide →

Loan Fraud & Illegal Lending Apps

High RiskCommonFinancial Fraud

Fake loan apps and unregistered NBFCs offering instant loans with minimal documentation, then demanding large upfront processing fees, insurance premiums, or GST payments before disbursement — fees that are never refunded. Also includes predatory loan apps that access contacts and harass borrowers with illegal debt collection.

⚠ Warning Signs

•Loan approved without credit check or income verification
•Upfront fee required before loan disbursement
•App requests access to contacts, photos, and media
•Interest rates and fees not clearly disclosed before agreement
•Lender not listed in RBI's registered NBFC directory
•Harassment of contacts if payment is delayed

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Verify lender registration at rbi.org.in before any engagement
✓Legitimate lenders never require upfront fees for loan approval
✓Read RBI's Sachet portal (sachet.rbi.org.in) for unregistered lender reports
✓Review app permissions — legitimate lenders do not need contact access
✓Report illegal lending apps to RBI and cybercrime.gov.in

🚨 Report to RBI Sachet portal and cybercrime.gov.in

Full guide →

Cryptocurrency Scams

High RiskGrowingFinancial Fraud

Fraudulent cryptocurrency exchanges, fake airdrop promotions, pig-butchering investment schemes (where scammers build trust over weeks before encouraging crypto investment on fake platforms), and NFT fraud.

⚠ Warning Signs

•Platform not registered with any financial regulator
•Guaranteed returns in cryptocurrency (crypto is inherently volatile)
•Profits visible in app but withdrawal is blocked or requires more deposit
•Pressure to recruit others to earn returns
•Celebrity endorsements (often AI-generated deepfakes)
•Contact initiated via WhatsApp, Telegram, or dating app unexpectedly

✓ How to Stay Safe

✓Trade only on SEBI-compliant exchanges (WazirX, CoinDCX, etc.)
✓Never invest based on unsolicited WhatsApp or Telegram tips
✓If you cannot withdraw funds, stop depositing immediately
✓Verify all celebrity endorsements directly on official social media
✓Report crypto fraud to cybercrime.gov.in and ED (Enforcement Directorate)

🚨 Report to cybercrime.gov.in and Enforcement Directorate

Full guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common online scam in India in 2025?▾

Digital arrest scams and UPI payment fraud are among the most common and rapidly growing scam types in India as of 2025. Digital arrest scams (where fraudsters impersonate police or CBI officers over video call) caused losses of over ₹1,776 crore in the first quarter of 2024 alone, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. UPI fraud remains endemic with millions of incidents annually.

What should I do immediately if I have been scammed online in India?▾

Take these actions within the first 24 hours: (1) Call 1930 — India's 24/7 national cybercrime helpline — immediately to report and request transaction reversal. (2) Contact your bank to freeze or reverse the transaction. (3) File a formal complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. (4) File an FIR at your nearest police station. (5) Report at rakshaai.co to protect others. Speed is critical — transaction reversal is most possible within the first few hours.

Is there really no such thing as a "digital arrest" in India?▾

Correct — "digital arrest" does not exist in Indian law. No provision of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), or any Indian statute authorises law enforcement to arrest, detain, or question citizens via phone or video call. Real Indian authorities conduct physical arrests with proper documentation. Any call claiming you are under "digital arrest" is definitively a scam.

How can I check if a UPI ID belongs to a scammer?▾

Use RakshaAI's free UPI ID checker at rakshaai.co/upi-id-checker. Enter the UPI ID to check it against our fraud database of 1M+ community-reported scam IDs. Additionally, verify the recipient's identity through a separate channel (calling them on a known number) before making large transfers.

What government resources are available for cybercrime victims in India?▾

Key resources: (1) National Cybercrime Helpline: 1930 (24/7, toll-free). (2) Cybercrime Reporting Portal: cybercrime.gov.in. (3) RBI Sachet for loan/banking fraud: sachet.rbi.org.in. (4) CERT-In for technical cybersecurity incidents: cert-in.org.in. (5) SEBI for investment fraud: sebi.gov.in. (6) Local police cybercrime cell for FIR registration.