Scams on social media in India
On Instagram, Facebook or YouTube the scam can be an ad, a direct message, a giveaway or a "trader" who shows profits.
What it looks like
- 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.
- A "friend" account that is a copy of someone you know.
- A comment thread full of identical "thank you" replies.
Scams that use this channel
Fake Payment Screenshot ScamA buyer sends an edited screenshot showing a successful UPI payment that never reached your…Fake UPI App Flash Pay ScamA shopkeeper or seller is shown a 'payment successful' screen from a copy of a UPI app that only…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…Wallet Top-up Cashback ScamA website or caller promises double balance or big cashback if you top up your wallet. The money…Mobile Recharge Offer ScamA message offers free recharge, extra validity or big cashback if you pay through a link. The link…Net Banking Phishing Site ScamA link in an SMS or email opens a copy of your bank's login page that steals your user ID,…Cheque Overpayment Refund ScamA buyer sends a cheque for more than the price and asks you to return the difference. The cheque…Instant Loan Processing Fee ScamA lender promises a quick loan with no paperwork, then asks for processing fees, insurance and…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…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…Voter ID Update WhatsApp ScamA WhatsApp forward offers a quick voter ID or voter list update. The file or link installs spyware…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…Fake Driving Licence and Passport Agent ScamFake websites and agents promise a licence without a test or a quick passport appointment for a…Recharge Cashback and Free Data Offer ScamMessages promise free recharge, bonus data or cashback on your next top-up through a link. The…Mobile Tower Installation Rent ScamA letter or call promises large monthly rent for a mobile tower on your roof or land, then asks…Part-Time Like and Rate Task Job ScamA WhatsApp message offers Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 a day for liking videos or rating products. The first…Prepaid Task Telegram Group ScamA Telegram group has you 'buy' items and promises the money back with commission. The merchant…Work From Home Data Entry Registration Fee ScamData entry and form filling jobs promise monthly pay but first ask for a registration, kit or…Overseas Job and Work Visa Agent ScamAgents promise well-paid jobs abroad and collect visa and ticket fees, then vanish or send people…Fake E-Commerce HR WhatsApp Job ScamA 'recruiter' from a known shopping or tech brand messages you on WhatsApp with an easy job, then…Government Scheme and Subsidy Registration ScamForwards offer free laptops, cash or subsidy under a government scheme if you register through a…WhatsApp Stock Tips Group ScamA free WhatsApp group shares stock tips that seem to win, then pushes a paid VIP plan or a trading…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.…MLM Network Marketing Recruitment ScamA pitch promises big income from a joining kit and from recruiting others. Income comes mostly…Fake SEBI-Registered Adviser Impersonation ScamScammers pose as registered advisers or well-known brokers, quote copied registration details and…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…Instagram Boutique Seller Asking for Advance PaymentA small Instagram page sells sarees, jewellery or gadgets by DM, takes an advance by UPI and then…Fake Product Review and Rating Task ScamYou are paid a few rupees to rate products, then asked to deposit money for bigger tasks that…Lookalike Brand Website with a Clearance SaleA site that copies a famous brand's name with one letter changed offers a huge sale. It takes…Flat Rental Token Advance ScamA too-cheap flat or PG listing asks for a token to hold it, then the 'owner' disappears. See how…WhatsApp Group Reseller and Bulk Product OfferA WhatsApp group promises wholesale prices and easy resale profits for an upfront payment, then…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 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…WhatsApp Account Takeover Through a Shared Verification CodeA stranger or contact asks for the six-digit WhatsApp code you just received. It lets them take…Wrong Number Message That Turns Into a FriendshipA polite 'sorry, wrong number' message slowly becomes a friendship, then an investment or gift…Hacked Friend's Account Asking for Urgent MoneyA message from a friend's hacked or cloned profile asks for urgent UPI money. Learn how to check…Sextortion Through a Video Call RecordingA friendly stranger starts a video call, a recording is made and you are threatened with sharing…Morphed Photo Blackmail from a StrangerA stranger sends an edited explicit picture using your public photo and demands money. Learn why…Dating App Match Who Introduces a Trading PlatformA dating app match builds romance, then recommends a trading or crypto app. Deposits look…Overseas Doctor or Soldier Profile Asking for HelpAn online partner who claims to be a doctor or peacekeeper abroad says he is stuck and needs…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…AI Voice Clone Call from a Relative in TroubleA call in the voice of your son, daughter or grandchild says there is an accident or arrest and…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…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…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…Farmer Loan Waiver and Subsidy Agent ScamA village agent says your name is on a loan waiver or subsidy list and asks for a fee. Learn how…Student Visa Consultant Advance Fee ScamA study-abroad consultant promises a guaranteed admission and visa for a large advance. Learn how…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…Ayushman Health Card Enrolment ScamSomeone offers to make your Ayushman or free-treatment health card for a fee or an OTP. See how…Medical Visa and Hospital Deposit ScamA broker promises fast hospital admission or a medical visa and asks for a big deposit that never…Cricket and Event Ticket Resale ScamTickets for a sold-out match or concert offered on social media may be fake or sold many times.…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…Disaster and Charity Donation QR ScamAfter a flood, accident or illness story goes viral, fake appeals share a personal QR. Learn how…Pilgrimage and Holiday Package Booking ScamA cheap pilgrimage or holiday package takes an advance, then the hotel and travel bookings do not…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…ESIC and PF Claim Agent ScamAn agent offers to speed up your PF or ESIC claim for a commission and asks for your UAN login or…Business Loan Subsidy and Mudra Agent ScamAn agent promises a business loan or subsidy under a government scheme and takes a fee or margin…Call Centre Job Security Deposit ScamA call centre or customer care job offer asks for a security deposit, uniform fee or training…Courier and ATM Franchise Agency ScamAn offer to open an ATM, courier or delivery franchise with guaranteed monthly income takes…Mystery Shopper Task ScamA 'mystery shopper' job asks you to buy items or test a money transfer with money they send first.…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…Fake Land and Plot Seller Advance ScamA seller offers a plot or flat at a low price, takes a booking advance, and the property belongs…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…Electric Vehicle Dealership Booking ScamA deal on a popular electric scooter or car asks for a booking amount from a fake dealer or copied…Rooftop Solar Subsidy and Installation ScamA caller or door-to-door agent offers a rooftop solar subsidy for a fee or advance. See how fake…Wedding Vendor Advance Booking ScamA wedding photographer, caterer or hall offers a discounted package for an advance, then vanishes…Cab and Delivery Partner Onboarding Fee ScamA fake recruiter says you can join a ride or delivery app after paying for an ID, uniform or kit.…
What to do
- 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.
- Report the account or ad inside the app and block it.
- Make your own profile private and review who can message you.
- If you paid, call 1930 and keep screenshots of the chat and the payment.
Use Report on the profile, post or ad. If money was lost, 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.