Common Online Scams In India And How To Stay Safe

Introduction

With the rapid expansion of digital transactions and internet usage in India, online scams have become a major concern. From phishing attacks to UPI fraud and fake job offers, scammers are finding new ways to exploit innocent users. This blog will help you understand the most common online scams in India and provide actionable tips to avoid them.

Personal Experience

Before diving deeper into the scams, let me share a personal experience of a colleague and me. A WhatsApp call was received by my colleague, where the caller, claiming to be a police officer, said that her son had been arrested in a rape case. The caller threatened that if she wanted to settle the issue, she would have to pay a substantial amount. When she requested to speak to her son, the caller claimed that he had been beaten so badly that he could not talk. This caused her to break down in despair. Fortunately, her colleagues advised her to call her son directly, and when she did, it turned out that her son was not arrested at all, and everything was perfectly fine.

A few days later, I received a similar call, but I disconnected immediately, knowing well that it was a scam. This experience was a stark reminder of the cunning ways in which scammers prey on emotions.

Additionally, my brother had once lost a substantial amount of money through an ATM card scam. Despite numerous attempts to recover the amount, it has never been refunded. Another incident involved a friend of my son receiving a message claiming that an amount had been accidentally credited into his bank account. Following that, he received a call from the same number asking him to return the money. After transferring the money, it became clear that the caller was a fraud, and no amount had ever been credited into his account.

1. Phishing Scams

What is a Phishing Scam?

Phishing scams involve fraudsters impersonating legitimate organizations to steal sensitive information like passwords, banking details, or Aadhaar numbers. These scams usually occur through fake emails, SMS, or websites.

How to Identify a Phishing Attempt?

Emails or SMS messages urging you to click on suspicious links.
Messages that claim your account will be blocked if you don’t respond.
Poor grammar, unofficial email addresses, or unusual requests.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams?

Never click on suspicious links in emails or messages.
Always verify the sender before providing any personal details.
Use multi-factor authentication for banking and online services.

Example of Phishing Scam:

A user receives an email from “SBI Bank” (but the email ID is not from sbi.co.in) claiming that their account will be blocked unless they update their KYC details. The link provided leads to a fake website where scammers steal login credentials.

2. UPI and Digital Payment Frauds

What is UPI Fraud?

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) frauds involve scammers tricking users into sending money or revealing their UPI PIN. This often happens through fake payment requests, QR codes, or fraudulent customer care numbers.

How to Identify UPI Scams?

Receiving a UPI payment request from an unknown person.
Being asked to scan a QR code to receive money (legitimate payments do not require this).
Fake customer care numbers asking for your UPI PIN.

How to Avoid UPI Frauds?

Never share your UPI PIN with anyone.
Use official bank websites or apps to contact customer care.
Verify before making any digital transactions.

Example of UPI Scam:

A fraudster posing as a buyer on OLX sends a QR code to a seller, claiming it’s for payment. When the seller scans it, money is deducted instead of being credited.

3. Fake Job Scams

What is a Fake Job Scam?

Scammers pose as recruiters and offer high-paying jobs in exchange for registration fees, document verification fees, or training charges.

How to Identify Fake Job Offers?

The job offer seems too good to be true.
You are asked to pay money before getting the job.
Emails come from free email services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) instead of official company domains.

How to Avoid Fake Job Scams?

Never pay money for a job application or interview.
Verify the company details before proceeding.
Use LinkedIn and official job portals like Naukri.com and Indeed for job searches.

Example of a Fake Job Scam:

A job seeker receives an email from “Infosys HR” offering a high-paying role but asks for ₹5,000 as a registration fee. The job is fake, and the money is lost.

4. Online Shopping and Fake E-commerce Sites

What is an Online Shopping Scam?

Fraudulent websites or sellers offer attractive discounts but fail to deliver products or deliver fake ones.

How to Identify Fake Shopping Websites?

Prices are unrealistically low.
No customer reviews or contact information.
Payment is required only via UPI or bank transfer (no COD option).

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams?

Buy from trusted e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.
Check reviews and ratings before purchasing.
Use secure payment options like credit cards or cash on delivery (COD).

Example of an Online Shopping Scam:

A user orders a smartphone from a website offering a 70% discount but receives a fake product, and customer service is unreachable.

5. Loan and Investment Scams

What is a Loan Scam?

Scammers pose as loan providers and offer instant personal loans with minimal documentation. They ask for an upfront processing fee and disappear after receiving the money.

How to Identify Loan and Investment Scams?

Loans are offered without verifying credit history.
The company has no physical address or verifiable credentials.
Unsolicited loan offers via WhatsApp or SMS.

How to Avoid Loan and Investment Scams?

Apply for loans only through verified banks or NBFCs.
Avoid clicking on loan offers received via SMS or WhatsApp.
Check if the lender is registered with the RBI.

Example of a Loan Scam:

A user receives a WhatsApp message offering an instant loan of ₹5 lakh but is asked to pay a ₹10,000 processing fee first. After paying, the scammer disappears.

6. SIM Swap Fraud

What is a SIM Swap Scam?

Scammers trick mobile network providers into issuing a duplicate SIM card, gaining access to OTPs and banking details.

How to Identify SIM Swap Fraud?

Your phone suddenly stops receiving network signals.
Unauthorized transactions from your bank account.

How to Avoid SIM Swap Fraud?

Enable SIM lock and SMS alerts for banking transactions.
Never share your OTP or personal details over calls.
Contact your telecom provider immediately if your SIM stops working.

Example of a SIM Swap Scam:

A fraudster convinces a telecom operator to issue a duplicate SIM using fake documents, then uses OTPs to empty a bank account.

Final Tips to Stay Safe Online

Use strong and unique passwords for all accounts.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
Keep your banking and personal details private.
Always verify links before clicking on them.
Report online frauds to Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or visit cybercrime.gov.in.

Conclusion

With increasing digital transactions, online scams in India are evolving rapidly. By staying informed, being cautious, and following the safety tips mentioned above, you can protect yourself from falling victim to cyber fraud. Always remember: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is!