Scam Encyclopedia · 85+ types · Updated Jul 2026

₹29 ke fake link se ₹500 crore ke ponzi tak — har scam ki poori list

Scam ki shakl badalti rehti hai, par uski haddi wahi rehti hai: urgency + darr/lalach + secrecy + payment. Neeche har type ka pattern samjho — pehchaan gaye toh bach gaye.

⚡ Universal formula yaad rakho: (1) Jaldbaazi karwayi ja rahi hai + (2) darr ya lalach diya ja raha hai + (3) kisi ko batane se roka ja raha hai + (4) paise/OTP/PIN maanga ja raha hai = SCAM. Chahe naya se naya tarika ho, ye 4 cheezein hamesha milengi.
📊 Scale samajhiye: Official data ke mutabik 2025 mein Indians ne ~₹22,495 crore cyber fraud mein gawaye (28+ lakh complaints); total losses ka ~75% sirf investment scams se hua, aur digital-arrest scams ne 4 saal mein ₹4,000+ crore ka nuksaan kiya. Sabse chhota scam ₹29 ke fake "delivery fee" link se shuru hota hai — sabse bada crore-level "digital arrest" tak jaata hai. Dono ka ilaaj ek hi hai: 30 second ruk kar sochna.

🔥 Trending Abhi

Updated: July 2026

Police aur I4C ke sabse taaze alerts — ye scams is waqt sabse zyada active hain.

NEW · I4C ADVISORY

Boss Scam / CEO Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Company ke senior officers/finance staff ko RBI ya "official audit team" ke naam par fake urgent messages; ya boss/MD ki DP wala WhatsApp — "meeting mein hoon, is vendor ko abhi payment karo". Kerala Police ne June 2026 mein public warning jaari ki hai.

Bachaav: Har urgent payment se pehle boss ko uske saved number par call karke voice-verify — bina exception ke. Company mein 2-person approval rule banao.

SPREADING FAST

Call-Merge OTP Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Scammer bahane se aapko call merge karne ko kehta hai — doosri line par bank ki automated OTP call hoti hai, jo scammer sun leta hai. Officials ne poore India mein fresh warnings jaari ki hain.

Bachaav: Kisi bhi anjaan ke kehne par call merge kabhi nahin — koi genuine kaam call merge se nahin hota.

SEASONAL · WORLD CUP

FIFA World Cup Ticket Scam

Kaise hota hai: World Cup chal raha hai — fake ticket websites aur resale scams fans ko invalid tickets bech rahe hain, refund kabhi nahin milta. Har bade event (IPL/concerts) par yahi pattern lautta hai.

Bachaav: Tickets sirf official FIFA/authorised platforms se; social media resale aur "last minute deal" sites se kabhi nahin.

HAR TYOHAAR PAR

Festive Greeting APK + Brand Impersonation

Kaise hota hai: WhatsApp par tyohaar ki greeting/card ka link — "dekhne ke liye app install karo" — wo APK phone ka control, OTP aur bank access le leta hai. 2025 mein 5 lakh+ complaints sirf fake brand websites/messages ki thin.

Bachaav: Greeting dekhne ke liye kabhi koi app install nahin hoti. APK = virus. Brand ki site hamesha khud type karke kholo.

📞 Phone & Call Scams (12)

Digital Arrest (fake CBI/ED/Customs)

Kaise hota hai: Video call par fake officer 'arrest' karke ghanton camera ke saamne rakhta hai; 'security deposit/verification' ke naam par lakhs-crores transfer karwata hai. India ka sabse bada psychological fraud.

Bachaav: Digital arrest kanoon mein hai hi nahin. Phone kaato → 1930. Full guide →

Courier/Parcel Scam (FedEx call)

Kaise hota hai: 'Aapke parcel mein drugs/passport mile' — phir call fake police ko transfer.

Bachaav: Courier companies aise call nahin karti. Official app se track karo.

TRAI / SIM Band Ki Dhamki

Kaise hota hai: '2 ghante mein number band, 9 dabayein' — automated call.

Bachaav: TRAI aise call nahin karta. Ignore + Chakshu par report.

Fake Bank Call (KYC/Card Block)

Kaise hota hai: 'Account block ho raha hai, OTP batao/link kholo'.

Bachaav: Bank kabhi OTP/PIN nahin maangta. Khud official number par call karo.

Boss Scam / CEO Fraud

Kaise hota hai: WhatsApp par 'boss/MD' ki DP wala message: 'meeting mein hoon, is vendor ko urgent payment karo' — employees se company ka paisa transfer karwate hain. I4C ne 2026 mein advisory nikali hai.

Bachaav: Payment se pehle boss ko uske saved number par call karke voice-verify — hamesha.

Lottery / KBC / Lucky Draw

Kaise hota hai: '₹25 lakh jeet gaye — processing fee bhejo'.

Bachaav: Jo kheli nahin, wo jeet nahin sakte. Fee = scam.

Rishtedaar Emergency (AI Voice Clone)

Kaise hota hai: Jaani-pehchaani awaaz mein 'accident/hospital, turant paise' — ab AI se voice clone karke.

Bachaav: Kaat kar us insaan ke apne number par call karo. Family code-word rakho.

Wangiri (Missed Call) Scam

Kaise hota hai: International missed call — callback par premium charges.

Bachaav: +92/+62 jaise unknown international numbers par callback kabhi nahin.

Call Merging / OTP Conference

Kaise hota hai: Call merge karwa kar bank ki OTP announcement sun lete hain.

Bachaav: Anjaan ke kehne par call merge kabhi nahin.

SIM Swap Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Fake documents se aapka number naye SIM par lekar saare OTP intercept.

Bachaav: Network achanak gayab ho toh turant operator + bank ko batao.

Spoofed Caller ID

Kaise hota hai: Screen par asli bank/police ka number dikhta hai, call scammer ki hoti hai.

Bachaav: Number dikhna proof nahin hai. Kaat kar khud us number par call karo.

Fake TTE / Challan Call

Kaise hota hai: 'Aapki ticket/challan pending hai, abhi pay karo warna case'.

Bachaav: Railway/traffic dues sirf official portal par dikhte hain — khud check karo.

📲 UPI & Payment Scams (11)

Fake Collect Request

Kaise hota hai: 'Paise bhej raha hoon, request accept karke PIN daalo' — PIN daala, paisa gaya.

Bachaav: PIN sirf BHEJNE ke liye. Receive ke liye kabhi nahin.

QR Code Refund Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'Refund ke liye QR scan karo' — QR scan karna hamesha payment KARNA hota hai.

Bachaav: Refund ke liye QR kabhi nahin hota.

Quishing (QR Phishing)

Kaise hota hai: Email/poster/parking ticket par fake QR — scan karte hi phishing page ya malware.

Bachaav: Unexpected QR kabhi scan nahin; official app/site khud kholo.

Galat Transfer Ka Natak

Kaise hota hai: 'Galti se paise bhej diye, wapas karo' — jabki aaya kuch nahin tha, ya mule-money thi.

Bachaav: Statement khud check karo; return sirf bank ke through.

Fake Payment Screenshot

Kaise hota hai: Dukaan par edited 'payment done' screenshot dikha kar maal le jaana.

Bachaav: Apne SMS/app balance se confirm karke hi maal do.

Cashback / Scratch Card Pop-up

Kaise hota hai: '₹4,999 jeete! Claim karne ke liye PIN daalo'.

Bachaav: Claim ke liye PIN kabhi nahin lagta.

Swapped QR (Parking/Petrol/Dukaan)

Kaise hota hai: Asli QR ke upar apna QR sticker.

Bachaav: Payment se pehle receiver ka naam verify karo.

AEPS / Biometric Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Leaked Aadhaar + cloned fingerprint se account se paise.

Bachaav: mAadhaar app se biometric lock karo — 2 minute ka kaam.

Chhota 'Delivery Fee' Link (₹10–₹50)

Kaise hota hai: SMS: 'parcel atka hai, ₹29 redelivery fee' — chhoti amount ke bahane card/UPI details chori. Sabse chhota lekin sabse common scam.

Bachaav: Amount chhota hone se scam chhota nahin hota — link se payment kabhi nahin.

Order-Cancel OTP Scam

Kaise hota hai: Fake delivery boy: 'order cancel karna hai toh OTP batao' — wo OTP account takeover ka hota hai.

Bachaav: Delivery OTP sirf parcel lete waqt, cancel ke liye kabhi nahin.

COD Parcel Jo Order Hi Nahin Kiya

Kaise hota hai: Ghar par random COD parcel — ander bekaar cheez, paise gaye.

Bachaav: Bina order ka parcel = refuse karo, payment mat karo.

💻 Online & Social Media Scams (18)

Phishing Links (e-Challan/Bijli/Tax Refund)

Kaise hota hai: 'Bill pending/challan/refund' SMS-link — login karte hi details chori.

Bachaav: Official app khud kholo; SMS-link se login kabhi nahin.

Wedding Card APK (Shaadi Invite Scam)

Kaise hota hai: WhatsApp par 'shaadi ka invitation' .apk file — install karte hi phone ka control aur SMS scammer ke paas.

Bachaav: Invitation PDF/photo mein aata hai, APP mein kabhi nahin. APK = virus.

Task/Like-Video Job Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'Video like karke ₹150 kamao' — pehle chhoti kamai, phir bade 'prepaid tasks' mein lakhs doob jaate hain.

Bachaav: Jo job pehle paisa jama karwaye, wo scam hai.

Work-From-Home / Fake Job Offer

Kaise hota hai: Fake offer letter + 'registration/training fee ₹1,000–5,000'.

Bachaav: Genuine company joining ke paise nahin leti.

Mule Account Banna (Anjaane Mein Crime)

Kaise hota hai: 'Apna bank account rent par do, commission milega' — aapke account se fraud ka paisa ghoomta hai aur case AAP par banta hai.

Bachaav: Account kisi ko dena khud crime hai. Kabhi nahin.

Romance / Dating Scam

Kaise hota hai: Mahino ka online pyaar, phir 'emergency' — ya milne aate waqt 'customs par pakde gaye'.

Bachaav: Jo kabhi mila nahin, use paise kabhi nahin.

Sextortion

Kaise hota hai: Video call trap + recording se blackmail.

Bachaav: Paise mat do (maangein badhti hain). Evidence save → 1930; anonymous report bhi hoti hai.

Matrimonial Fraud

Kaise hota hai: NRI/officer bankar shaadi ke naam par paison ki maang.

Bachaav: Video-verify + family involve; paise maange = red flag.

Fake Customer Care Number

Kaise hota hai: Google/social par mila number scammer ka nikla.

Bachaav: Number sirf official app/website se.

Copyright/Account Suspension Phishing

Kaise hota hai: 'Aapka Instagram/YouTube band ho raha hai, appeal karo' — fake login page se account hack, phir usi se doston ko thaga jaata hai.

Bachaav: Appeal sirf app ke andar hoti hai, link se kabhi nahin. 2FA on rakho.

Deepfake Video Call

Kaise hota hai: Jaana-pehchaana chehra — AI se banaya hua, paise maangta hai. Deepfake attacks India mein explode kar rahe hain.

Bachaav: Callback + family code-word. Guide →

Celebrity Investment Deepfake

Kaise hota hai: Fake video mein celebrity/tycoon 'trading app' promote karta hai.

Bachaav: Koi celebrity aapko ameer banane nahin aa raha. 100% fake.

Loan App Harassment

Kaise hota hai: Instant loan app contacts/photos lekar recovery par blackmail aur badnaami.

Bachaav: Sirf RBI-registered bank/NBFC; APK loan kabhi nahin.

Videshi Dost Ka Gift Parcel

Kaise hota hai: 'UK ke dost' ka gift — 'customs clearance' ke ₹40,000.

Bachaav: Customs personal call karke paise nahin maangta.

Fake Govt App

Kaise hota hai: PM-Kisan/Aadhaar/DigiLocker jaisi dikhne wali fake app — data + OTP chori.

Bachaav: Govt apps sirf Play Store par 'Government verified' badge ke saath.

Honey Trap Blackmail

Kaise hota hai: Nayi online 'dosti' → private chat → blackmail.

Bachaav: Anjaan se private content share kabhi nahin.

Fake Giveaway / Influencer Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'iPhone giveaway jeeta — shipping fee do' ya fake influencer account se paise ki request.

Bachaav: Giveaway ke liye fee nahin lagti; verified account bhi verify karo.

Gaming Top-up / In-game Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Sasti UC/diamonds ke naam par bachon se UPI/parent-card se payment.

Bachaav: Top-up sirf official store se; bachon ke phone par payment lock rakho.

📈 Financial & Investment Scams (sabse bada nuksaan yahin) (12)

Fake Trading App / Blocked Withdrawal

Kaise hota hai: App par profit dikhta rehta hai, withdrawal kabhi nahin hota. Investment scams India ke total cyber-fraud losses ka ~75% hain.

Bachaav: App sirf official store se; SEBI-registered broker verify karo.

WhatsApp/Telegram 'Stock Tips' Group

Kaise hota hai: Fake profit screenshots + 'guaranteed return' — bade amount ke baad group gayab.

Bachaav: Tips-group se investment kabhi nahin; SEBI registration check karo.

Pump & Dump

Kaise hota hai: Chhote share ko hype karke price chadhate hain, khud bech kar nikal jaate hain — aap phans jaate ho.

Bachaav: 'Ye share 10x hoga' wali tips ka source hi suspect hai.

Fake IPO / Guaranteed Allotment

Kaise hota hai: 'Guaranteed IPO allotment' ke naam par advance.

Bachaav: Allotment sirf official ASBA process se.

Crypto Doubling / Exit Scam

Kaise hota hai: Naya coin, 'assured returns', seminars — naye investors ke paise se purano ko payment; ek din platform hi gayab (₹500-crore level tak ke case).

Bachaav: Guaranteed return sirf scam deta hai — crypto mein toh bilkul.

Ponzi / Chit Fund / Committee Fraud

Kaise hota hai: High-return scheme — operator ek din gayab.

Bachaav: Sirf registered chit fund; 'sabko mil raha hai' = red flag.

Insurance Maturity/Bonus Fraud

Kaise hota hai: 'Purani policy ka bonus atka hai, fee bharo' — IRDAI officer bankar.

Bachaav: Insurer ko khud call karo; fee lekar bonus nahin milta.

Credit Card Reward Points

Kaise hota hai: 'Points expire ho rahe hain' — link par card details.

Bachaav: Points sirf bank ki official app mein redeem hote hain.

KYC APK File

Kaise hota hai: WhatsApp par aayi .apk 'bank app' — SMS/OTP scammer ke paas.

Bachaav: APK se banking kabhi nahin.

Loan Processing Fee Fraud

Kaise hota hai: 'Loan approved hai, bas processing fee bhejo' — fee lekar gayab.

Bachaav: Genuine lender fee loan amount se kaat-ta hai, pehle cash nahin maangta.

Credit Score Repair Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'CIBIL score 750+ karwa denge, fee do'.

Bachaav: Score sirf timely payments se sudharta hai — koi shortcut legal nahin.

GST/Income Tax 'Notice Settlement'

Kaise hota hai: Fake notice bhej kar 'CA/officer' settlement ke naam par paise leta hai.

Bachaav: Notice hamesha official portal par login karke verify karo.

🛍️ Shopping & Marketplace Scams (9)

Fake Shopping Website

Kaise hota hai: 90% off — paisa gaya, maal nahin aaya; ya brick-in-box.

Bachaav: Naye site par COD; domain + reviews check karo.

OLX/Marketplace Advance Fraud

Kaise hota hai: 'Army wala hoon' — advance lekar gayab; ya buyer bankar 'extra bheja, wapas karo'.

Bachaav: Aamne-saamne deal; advance kabhi nahin.

Fake Hotel/Tour Package

Kaise hota hai: Sasta package, fake receipt — pahunche toh booking nahin.

Bachaav: Official platforms se hi; direct-transfer discount = shak.

Ticket Scam (Train/Concert/Match)

Kaise hota hai: Sold-out show ke fake tickets.

Bachaav: Sirf authorised platforms; screenshot-ticket = risk.

Rental Property Scam

Kaise hota hai: Fake landlord token/advance lekar gayab.

Bachaav: Property + documents dekhe bina token nahin.

Franchise / Dealership Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Bade brand ki fake 'dealership' — lakhs ki fee, fake letterhead.

Bachaav: Franchise enquiry sirf brand ki official site se.

Second-hand Vehicle Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Chori/fake-paper gaadi sasta bech kar gayab.

Bachaav: RC/chassis vahan.parivahan.gov.in par verify; RTO transfer ke baad full payment.

Fake Food-Delivery Refund

Kaise hota hai: 'Swiggy/Zomato support' bankar refund ke naam par UPI details.

Bachaav: Refund sirf app ke andar hota hai, call par nahin.

Drop-shipping 'Business Kit' Fraud

Kaise hota hai: 'Ghar baithe e-commerce business' — kit/course ke naam par hazaron loot kar fake dashboard thama dete hain.

Bachaav: Income proof maango; pehle paise maangne wala 'business' scam hai.

🧳 Job, Visa & Education Scams (6)

Videsh Mein Naukri (Cyber Slavery)

Kaise hota hai: 'Thailand/Dubai mein IT job' — wahan le jaakar scam compounds mein bandhak banakar zabardasti fraud karwate hain.

Bachaav: Foreign job sirf licensed recruitment agent (eMigrate portal par verify) ke through.

Visa / Immigration Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Fake agent PR/work-visa ke naam par lakhs lekar fake documents deta hai.

Bachaav: Agent ka MEA/eMigrate license verify karo; embassy fees official site par milti hain.

Fake University Admission / Donation Seat

Kaise hota hai: 'Management quota seat pakki, donation cash do' — receipt tak nahin milti.

Bachaav: Admission sirf official process; cash-donation demand = fraud + crime.

Sarkari Naukri 'Setting' Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'Railway/army mein bharti karwa denge, ₹5–15 lakh' — fake joining letter thama dete hain.

Bachaav: Sarkari naukri sirf exam se milti hai. Paisa dena bhi apradh hai.

Fake Scholarship / Education Loan

Kaise hota hai: 'Scholarship approved — processing fee do'.

Bachaav: Scholarships par fee nahin lagti; NSP portal par khud apply karo.

Fake Placement / Modeling Agency

Kaise hota hai: Registration + portfolio fee lekar interviews ka natak.

Bachaav: Pehle fee maangne wali agency = scam.

🌾 Kisan & Rural Scams (5)

PM-Kisan / Subsidy Fraud Call

Kaise hota hai: 'Kisht atki hai, OTP batao / app install karo'.

Bachaav: PM-Kisan ka paisa DBT se apne aap aata hai; OTP kisi ko nahin.

Nakli Beej / Khaad / Keetnashak

Kaise hota hai: Brand ki nakli packing mein ghatiya maal — poori fasal barbaad.

Bachaav: Licensed dealer se hi, pakki bill ke saath; batch number verify karo.

Online Pashu / Tractor Sale Fraud

Kaise hota hai: Sasti gaay/bhains/tractor ki photo — advance lekar gayab.

Bachaav: Janwar/gaadi dekhe bina ek rupaya advance nahin.

Fasal Beema / Loan Waiver Fraud

Kaise hota hai: 'Karz maafi list mein naam daalna hai, fee do'.

Bachaav: Sarkari yojna mein naam fee se nahin, patrata se aata hai — CSC/bank se verify.

Zameen Registry Double-Sale

Kaise hota hai: Ek plot kai logon ko bech dena, fake registry se.

Bachaav: Registry se pehle title search + encumbrance certificate.

🏘️ Offline & Street Frauds (12)

ATM Skimming / Card Cloning

Kaise hota hai: Machine par skimmer device card copy kar leti hai.

Bachaav: Keypad dhak kar PIN; slot hila kar check; POS par card nazar ke saamne.

ATM Card-Stuck 'Helper'

Kaise hota hai: Card jaam karwa kar 'madadgaar' banke PIN dekh leta hai, baad mein card nikaal leta hai.

Bachaav: ATM mein anjaan ki madad nahin; card fanse toh wahin se bank helpline call karo.

Fake Police Checking

Kaise hota hai: Saade kapdon mein 'checking' ke naam par cash/jewellery.

Bachaav: ID maango, 112 par verify — asli police bura nahin maanti.

Chamatkari Baba / Paisa Double

Kaise hota hai: Jhaad-phoonk se 'paisa double' — asli note nakli se badal jaate hain.

Bachaav: Paisa mehnat se badhta hai, mantra se nahin.

Gold Coin / Khazana Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'Khudai mein mila sona' sasta — nakli nikalta hai.

Bachaav: Sasta sona = nakli sona. Hallmark + bill zaroori.

Gold Chain Cleaning Gang

Kaise hota hai: 'Chain chamka doon' kehkar asli utaar kar nakli pehna dete hain.

Bachaav: Gehne kisi anjaan ke haath mein kabhi nahin.

Paise Gire Hain (Distraction Theft)

Kaise hota hai: 'Bhaiya aapke paise gire' — dhyaan bhatka kar bag/phone gayab.

Bachaav: Ruk kar cheezein pakdo, phir dekho.

Fake Charity Collection

Kaise hota hai: Mandir/ilaaj/NGO ke naam par farzi receipt-book.

Bachaav: Registration + 80G verify; receipt par PAN dekho.

Note Badalne Ka Scam

Kaise hota hai: 'Katey-phatey note badal doon' — asli lekar nakli.

Bachaav: Note sirf bank badalta hai — free, RBI rule se.

Tower Installation Fraud

Kaise hota hai: 'Chhat par tower, ₹50,000/month' — pehle 'NOC fee'.

Bachaav: Telecom companies fee lekar tower nahin lagati.

Juice Jacking (Public USB)

Kaise hota hai: Public charging port se data chori/malware.

Bachaav: Apna adapter ya data-blocker cable.

Petrol Pump Meter Jump

Kaise hota hai: Meter zero se shuru nahin hota, ya dhyaan bhatka kar kam petrol.

Bachaav: Zero dekh kar hi bharwao; UPI se exact amount do.

Scam ho gaya ya hote-hote bacha?

Financial fraud: 1930 + cybercrime.gov.in (pehle 24 ghante golden hours) · Fraud number report: Chakshu (sancharsaathi.gov.in) · Emergency: 112

🚑 Fraud First-Aid Guide🔍 Scam Checker Tool📞 Helplines Awareness Hub →

Ye page sirf public awareness ke liye hai; statistics official/public reports par aadharit hain aur samay ke saath badal sakte hain. Bureau of Crime Control Org. ek independent registered NGO hai — hum crime investigate nahin karte, FIR register nahin karte. Emergency mein hamesha official authorities se sampark karein.