SAFEAVIOSENTINEL

Scams through an app in India

Scam apps pretend to be a bank, a loan service, a game, a government service or a "support tool", and they ask for access to SMS, contacts, the screen or accessibility.

What it looks like

Scams that use this channel

UPI Collect Request ScamA stranger sends a UPI collect request and says you must approve it to receive money. Approving it…UPI Refund Wrong PIN ScamAfter an order cancellation or failed payment you are told a refund needs your UPI PIN or a link.…Fake Payment Screenshot ScamA buyer sends an edited screenshot showing a successful UPI payment that never reached your…Scan QR to Receive Money ScamA buyer asks you to scan a QR code or enter a PIN to receive an advance. A QR code only ever sends…Fake UPI App Flash Pay ScamA shopkeeper or seller is shown a 'payment successful' screen from a copy of a UPI app that only…Wrong Transfer Return My Money ScamA stranger really does send you money, then claims it was a mistake and uses pressure and fake…UPI AutoPay Mandate ScamYou approve a request that looks harmless, but it sets up a recurring UPI mandate that lets a…Fake UPI Cashback Reward ScamA message promises a big UPI cashback or scratch card. To claim it you must share a PIN or approve…Re 1 UPI ID Verification ScamA stranger asks you to send Re 1 or Rs 10 to verify your UPI ID before a bigger payment. The small…QR Sticker Swap Shop ScamScammers paste their own QR code over a shop's real one, so customers pay the wrong account and…POS Machine Swipe Trick ScamA shop or hotel staff member uses a hidden reader, double swipes or changes the amount on a card…Wallet KYC Expiry ScamA message says your mobile wallet will be blocked unless you complete KYC today, and the link or…Wallet Top-up Cashback ScamA website or caller promises double balance or big cashback if you top up your wallet. The money…FASTag Recharge Link ScamA message says your FASTag balance is low or blocked and gives a link to recharge. The page steals…FASTag KYC Update Call ScamA caller says your FASTag will be deactivated without a KYC update and asks for an OTP, card…Electricity Bill Disconnection ScamA message says your electricity will be cut tonight for an unpaid bill, and tells you to pay…Gas Cylinder Booking Payment ScamA fake gas agency number found online takes your booking, then asks for a payment link, a refund…Mobile Recharge Offer ScamA message offers free recharge, extra validity or big cashback if you pay through a link. The link…Merchant Soundbox and QR Onboarding ScamFake agents tell shop owners they must pay a fee for a QR, soundbox or POS installation, then take…SIM Swap Bank FraudFraudsters get a duplicate SIM issued for your number, receive your bank OTPs and drain your…Credit Limit Increase Call ScamA caller offers to raise your credit card limit and asks for an OTP or card details. The OTP…ATM Card Swap Helper ScamA 'helpful' stranger at an ATM watches your PIN and swaps your card for a similar one, then…ATM Skimmer and Hidden Camera ScamA hidden reader on an ATM slot copies your card, and a tiny camera records your PIN. Your account…Credit Card Reward Points APK ScamA message says your credit card reward points will expire today and links to an app. The app reads…Fake Bank App APK ScamA message tells you to update your bank's mobile app from a link. The file is a fake app that…Remote Access App Bank Support ScamA fake bank or refund agent asks you to install a screen-sharing app, then uses your banking apps…Fake Bank Customer Care Number ScamA planted number in search results or maps poses as bank customer care. Calling it gets you a…Cash Deposit Machine Fake Receipt ScamA buyer shows a cash-deposit receipt or screenshot as proof of payment, but the money never…Fake Loan Recovery Agent ScamCallers threaten to shame you or message your contacts unless you pay a loan, sometimes one you…Bank Account Rental Mule ScamA stranger offers commission to let your bank account receive and forward money. The funds are…Aadhaar Update Fake Portal ScamFake Aadhaar update and download websites rank in search results, charge a 'service fee' and…Aadhaar Fingerprint Cloning ScamFraudsters use leaked fingerprints and Aadhaar numbers to withdraw money through Aadhaar-enabled…Fake e-KYC Video Call and Selfie ScamA caller says a video KYC is needed to keep your account active, records your face and ID, then…Aadhaar Copy Misuse for SIM and Loan FraudA copy of your Aadhaar or PAN handed over for a sale, rental or job is reused for SIM cards and…Digital Arrest Video Call ScamCallers in uniform say you are under digital arrest on a video call and must send money to prove…Fake CBI or Customs Officer Parcel CallAn automated call says a parcel in your name was seized with illegal items, then a fake CBI or…E-Challan Traffic Fine Link ScamA text claims you have an unpaid traffic challan and gives a link to pay. The page takes card…Fake Driving Licence and Passport Agent ScamFake websites and agents promise a licence without a test or a quick passport appointment for a…FASTag KYC Update and Recharge ScamA text says your FASTag will be blocked without a KYC update or recharge and gives a number or…TRAI SIM Block in 24 Hours Call ScamA call claims to be the telecom regulator and says your SIM will be blocked in two hours for…Mobile Number Deactivation KYC Text ScamA text says your SIM will be deactivated unless you update KYC today and asks you to call a number…SIM Swap and Duplicate SIM FraudFraudsters get a duplicate SIM for your number, take your OTPs and empty accounts. Sudden loss of…Broadband and Fibre Installation Engineer ScamA caller offers a cheap broadband or fibre plan or says your router needs an upgrade, asks for an…Prepaid Task Telegram Group ScamA Telegram group has you 'buy' items and promises the money back with commission. The merchant…Loan App Harassment and Morphed Photo ScamIllegal instant loan apps take contact and photo access, then send threats and morphed images to…IPO Allotment Guarantee and Fake Trading App ScamGroups promise guaranteed IPO allotment or pre-IPO shares at a big discount through a special app.…Fake Trading App Withdrawal Fee and Tax ScamA trading app shows large profits but asks for tax, a deposit or an unlock fee before you can…Crypto Doubling and Telegram Signal ScamTelegram groups and apps promise to double your crypto or pay daily USDT returns. Early payouts…Chit Fund and Deposit Scheme Collapse ScamLocal schemes collect deposits for high monthly interest or chit returns, then close or vanish.…Forex and Gold Trading Signals ScamOnline coaches and apps promise steady forex, gold or binary options profits with signals. The…AI Trading Bot Guaranteed Returns ScamAn 'AI trading bot' app promises automatic daily profit with no risk. Deposits go to the scammer…High Monthly Return Ponzi App ScamApps offer daily or monthly returns on small deposits, pay early users on time, then vanish with…Fake Online Store Advertised on Instagram and FacebookA slick shop with huge discounts appears in your feed, takes your UPI or card payment and ships…Cash on Delivery Parcel Swap and Wrong-Product TrickA delivery person asks for cash for a parcel you never ordered, or a package contains a swapped…OLX Buyer Sends a QR Code to Receive PaymentA buyer on OLX or Facebook Marketplace says 'scan this QR to get paid' and your account is debited…Army Officer Selling Goods on a MarketplaceA seller in an army or police uniform lists a cheap bike or car 'due to transfer' and asks for…Fake Product Review and Rating Task ScamYou are paid a few rupees to rate products, then asked to deposit money for bigger tasks that…Fake Customer Care Number Found on Google SearchYou search for a company's customer care number and land on a fake listing run by a scammer who…Refund Scam with a Rs 1 Test Payment LinkAfter you cancel an order, a caller says a refund link needs a small test payment first. The link…Flat Rental Token Advance ScamA too-cheap flat or PG listing asks for a token to hold it, then the 'owner' disappears. See how…Remote Access App Bank Refund TrickA caller offers a refund and asks you to install a remote-access app. Once he sees your screen, he…Screen Share Support Trick Posing as a Utility or Telecom HelpdeskA fake telecom or utility helpdesk asks you to open a screen-sharing app to 'fix' your SIM or…Fake Antivirus Pop-up Telling You to Call SupportA browser page flashes a loud virus warning with a helpline number or an 'install cleaner' button.…Fake Broadband Technician and Router Support CallA caller from your 'internet provider' says your router needs a verification payment or app. It is…Fake Laptop and Printer Support HelplineSearching for laptop or printer help brings up a fake service number. The agent charges for…Fake Windows Security Alert and Locked Browser PageA full-screen 'Windows security alert' locks your browser and shows a helpline. The page is fake…Sextortion Through a Video Call RecordingA friendly stranger starts a video call, a recording is made and you are threatened with sharing…Matrimonial Site NRI Match Sending a Gift ParcelA matrimonial match abroad promises a gift or marriage, then asks for customs fees or a transfer.…Dating App Match Who Introduces a Trading PlatformA dating app match builds romance, then recommends a trading or crypto app. Deposits look…Fake Instagram Account Recovery and Verification Badge OfferA DM says your page broke a rule and offers a blue tick or recovery help via a link. The link…Deepfake Video Call from a Boss or Colleague Asking for a TransferA video call shows your manager or a senior colleague asking for an urgent payment. The face may…Deepfake Celebrity or Finance Expert Video Promoting an InvestmentA video shows a famous person praising a trading app or scheme. The clip is edited or generated,…AI Chatbot Fake Profile That Chats for WeeksA friendly profile replies instantly at all hours, with perfect grammar, and slowly steers you to…Wedding Invitation APK Shared on WhatsAppA WhatsApp message with a file named like a wedding card ends in .apk. Installing it can give a…Fake RTO Challan or Vehicle App Sent as an APKA message says you have a pending traffic challan and asks you to install an app file to see it.…Instant Loan App That Steals Contacts and Threatens YouA quick-loan app asks for contacts and gallery access, then threatens to message your family when…Stalkerware Spy App Hidden on a PhoneA hidden spy app can show messages, location and calls to someone who installed it. Learn the…Malicious QR Codes Stuck in Public PlacesA QR sticker on a parking meter, restaurant table or poster leads to a fake payment page or an app…Shop Counter QR Sticker Swap Targeting Small MerchantsScammers paste their own payment QR over a shop's real code so customers pay the wrong account.…Juice Jacking: Public Charging Ports and Rigged CablesCan a public USB port or a gifted cable steal data from your phone? See what is real, what is rare…Fake Free Wi-Fi Hotspot That Steals LoginsA free Wi-Fi network with a familiar name asks you to log in with your phone number or social…Rooting or Modding Your Phone for 'Free Premium' OffersVideos and chats promise free premium apps or faster phones if you root or modify your device. It…Browser Notification Spam: The 'Click Allow to Continue' TrapA website says 'tap Allow to prove you are not a robot' and then floods your phone with scam…Fake Android System Update or Security Patch Pop-upA pop-up or message says your phone needs an urgent system update and offers a download. The file…SIM Swap Fraud and Duplicate SIM TakeoverYour phone loses network for no reason and OTPs go to a criminal's SIM. Learn the signs of SIM…Fake Phone Cleaner, Booster and Antivirus AppsCleaner, booster and 'virus removal' apps promise speed but fill your phone with ads or ask for…Modded WhatsApp (GB WhatsApp and Similar) DownloadsModified WhatsApp apps promise extra features but come from unknown sources, can leak chats and…Public Computer and Cyber Cafe Login TheftLogging in to bank, email or government portals on a cafe or kiosk computer can expose passwords…PM-Kisan Status Update APK ScamA WhatsApp message says your PM-Kisan instalment is stuck and asks you to install an APK. See how…Pension Life Certificate Call ScamA caller says your pension will stop unless you submit a life certificate now and asks for an OTP.…Army Transfer Tenant Advance ScamA 'transferred army officer' wants to rent your flat and pays an advance by making you scan a QR…PG and Hostel Booking Advance ScamA PG or hostel listing with cheap rent asks for a booking advance, then vanishes or shows a…Second-Hand Car Sale Deposit ScamA used car listed far below market asks for a token and a transport fee, then disappears. Learn…Society and RWA Maintenance App ScamA fake message in the society group changes the maintenance QR or asks residents to install an RWA…Gaming ID and Top-Up Sale ScamCheap in-game currency or a high-level ID for sale leads to a stolen login or lost advance. See…Airline Refund and Customer Care Search ScamSearching for an airline refund number can lead to a fake helpline that takes card details or…Gold and Jewellery Monthly Instalment Scheme ScamA jeweller or agent collects monthly gold instalments with a bonus month, then closes shop. Learn…Crypto Airdrop and Wallet Drainer Link ScamA 'free token airdrop' link asks you to connect your crypto wallet and approve a transaction that…Fake Mutual Fund and Investment App ScamA fake mutual fund or wealth app shows rising returns, then blocks withdrawals and asks for more…Google Maps Review Reward ScamYou are paid a few rupees to review places on a map app, then asked to deposit money for 'higher…Relationship-to-Investment Chat Scam (Pig Butchering)A friendly stranger builds trust over weeks, then introduces a 'sure' investment platform. See how…Online Tuition App and Course Fee ScamA free class or demo leads to a big course fee or subscription with a vague refund policy. See how…

What to do

  1. Do not install it. If it is installed, uninstall it now (Settings, Apps).
  2. Open Settings and check Accessibility, Device admin apps and Install unknown apps for anything you do not recognise.
  3. Change the passwords of your bank and email from a clean device if the app had access.
  4. Run a phone scan (Safeavio Sentinel lists risky apps and settings).
  5. Call your bank, and call 1930 if money moved.

Report the fake app to the store it came from and, if money moved, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.

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 AndroidWhat the app does

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