Threat library
Recognise the pattern.
Break the scam.
Scammers change their stories, but the pressure tactics are often the same: urgency, secrecy, fear, reward or a request to install something.
Phishing, smishing & vishing
Fraudsters use fake emails, texts or calls that look like a bank, delivery company, government office or service provider. They want you to reveal passwords, card details, OTPs or click a link.
Watch for: urgency, spelling changes in links, a generic greeting, a threat to block your account, a reward that seems too good to be true.
Do instead: open the official app/site yourself or use the number printed on your card. Never share OTP, PIN or CVV.
02UPI, QR code & payment fraud
A QR code or “collect” request can make money leave your account; it is not needed to receive money. Fraudsters may promise refunds, prizes, KYC updates or a simple payment.
Watch for: requests to enter UPI PIN to receive money, unknown collect requests, screen-share apps, payment pressure.
Do instead: read the payment screen carefully, verify the recipient, and decline anything you did not initiate.
03Social media, job, investment & romance scams
Scammers build trust using copied profiles, fake jobs, high-return investments, “wrong number” messages or an emotional relationship. They eventually ask for money, a code or private images.
Watch for: quick intimacy, guaranteed returns, payment before a job, requests to move chats, or refusal to verify identity.
Do instead: verify independently, keep accounts private, never send money or intimate content to an online contact.
04Malicious apps & remote access
Unsafe applications can read messages, record the screen and control a device. Remote access tools are often pushed by callers pretending to provide support or refunds.
Watch for: a link outside an official app store, unusual permissions, a caller asking you to install an app or share your screen.
Do instead: install only from trusted sources, check permissions, keep software updated and uninstall suspicious apps.
05Digital arrest & impersonation scams
Criminals may pretend to be police, a court, customs or a government official. They create fear and demand secrecy, video calls or money.
Remember: do not transfer money or share private information because of an unexpected threatening call. Verify through an independently found official contact.