Mobile Recharge Offer Scam on social media

How it looks on social media, the red flags and what to do.

On Instagram, Facebook or YouTube the scam can be an ad, a direct message, a giveaway or a "trader" who shows profits. Mobile Recharge Offer Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A message offers free recharge, extra validity or big cashback if you pay through a link. The link takes your money or card details.

What mobile recharge offer scam looks like on social media

A direct message from a stranger, a "brand" or a "recruiter".
A giveaway that asks you to pay a small fee or share a code.
An ad with a celebrity face and a payment link.

The scammer sends a message with the name of a mobile operator or a payment app, offering a free recharge, a festival pack or a loyalty reward. The text uses a short link and a line such as 'valid for today only'. Some versions come in WhatsApp groups with a forwarded message that says 'share with five friends to unlock', which spreads the scam.

Red flags to check on the social media message

A free recharge needs a payment or fee first.
A forward-to-five-groups step is part of the offer.
The page asks for UPI ID, card details or OTP.
A midnight deadline or limited users is mentioned.
A stranger moves the chat to WhatsApp or Telegram.
A prize needs a payment or a code first.

What to do

Do not tap the link or forward the message.
Check offers in your operator's own app or on its website typed by hand.
Never enter a UPI PIN or OTP for a free offer.
If you paid, call 1930 and keep screenshots of the chat and the payment.
Do not pay, share codes or move to another app.
Check the account: when it was created, who follows it, and whether the real brand links to it from its own website.

Use Report on the profile, post or ad. If money was lost, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.

If money or a code is already gone

Call 1930 immediately with the transaction details.
Tell your bank through the number on your card or passbook.
Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the message and the page screenshots.
Uninstall any app you downloaded from the link and change your banking passwords.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio's link check can review the offer link before you open it for lookalike domains, shortened links and risky patterns, and the scam check shows why the message looks like a pressure tactic with a money demand. It cannot see your operator's offers, so check them in the official app before you pay anything. It cannot see operator offers. Check your operator app.

Check it before you tap or pay

Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.

Download for Android What the app does

Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.

Full guide: Mobile Recharge Offer Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: SMS, WhatsApp, fake app.

Questions

How do I know if a social media message about mobile recharge offer scam is a scam?

Check the red flags above: a stranger moves the chat to whatsapp or telegram. a prize needs a payment or a code first. When in doubt, do not act on the social media message; open the official app or website yourself or call the number printed on your card or bill.

What should I do first if I receive this social media message?

Do not pay, share codes or move to another app. Check the account: when it was created, who follows it, and whether the real brand links to it from its own website.