Asli ya Fraud? — check a suspicious SMS, WhatsApp message or call before you respond

A caller claims your Aadhaar, SIM or bank account is linked to money laundering, drugs or a crime. You are put on a video call with fake officers, told you are under 'digital arrest', kept on camera, told to tell no one, and pushed to move money to a 'safe' account for 'verification'.

💡 There is no such thing as a 'digital arrest' in Indian law. Police, CBI, ED, customs or courts do not arrest or question anyone on a video call and never ask you to transfer money to 'verify' it.

An automated call or 'courier executive' says a parcel in your name was seized with drugs, fake passports or cash, then 'transfers' you to police or customs who threaten arrest and demand money to clear your name.

💡 Courier companies don't transfer your call to the police, and no officer clears a case for money over the phone. If you didn't send the parcel, it isn't yours — hang up.

An SMS or WhatsApp says your bank account, card or wallet will be blocked today unless you 'update KYC / PAN' on a link or app. The page looks like your bank and asks for login, card details and OTP.

💡 Banks don't block accounts through SMS links and never ask for your OTP / PIN. KYC is updated only in the bank's official app, website or branch.

'Your electricity will be disconnected tonight because last month's bill was not updated — call our officer at this mobile number.' The 'officer' then asks you to install a support app or pay a small amount through a link.

💡 A real bill alert does not ask you to call a personal mobile number, install an app or share your screen. Check your bill only on your electricity company's official app, website or office.

An SMS or WhatsApp says your vehicle has a pending challan and asks you to pay through a link or install an 'RTO / challan' APK. The APK can read your OTPs; the link takes card details.

💡 Never pay a challan through a message link or APK. Type the official Parivahan e-challan website yourself, enter your vehicle number and check whether a challan really exists.

A WhatsApp or Telegram 'HR' offers easy daily income for liking videos or rating hotels. First tasks pay a little; then you must deposit money for 'prepaid' or 'VIP' tasks, and the 'earnings' can never be withdrawn.

💡 A real job does not ask you to pay to work. Small early payouts are bait to win your trust before bigger deposits.

You are added to a WhatsApp / Telegram 'VIP' stock or crypto group with 'experts' and fake screenshots of profits, then asked to install their trading app. The app shows growing profits, but withdrawal is blocked until you pay more 'fees' or 'tax'.

💡 No one can guarantee stock-market returns. Before investing, check on the official SEBI website that the adviser is really registered, and use only well-known brokers' official apps.

A message or call says you won a lottery, KBC prize, car or gift. To 'release' it you must pay a processing fee, GST or tax, often to a 'manager' on WhatsApp — and then another fee, and another.

💡 You can't win a draw you never entered, and a genuine prize never asks you to pay first.

Someone says they sent money 'by mistake', a buyer wants to 'pay advance', or 'customer care' offers a refund — and sends a collect request or QR code, asking you to approve it and enter your PIN 'to receive'.

💡 You never need your UPI PIN or a QR scan to RECEIVE money. PIN = money leaving your account. If someone really sent money by mistake, they can take it up with their own bank.

A stranger video-calls (often with an obscene clip), records your face, then threatens to send the 'video' to your family or post it online unless you pay. Sometimes a fake 'police officer' or 'YouTube officer' calls next to demand more.

💡 Paying rarely ends it — it usually brings more demands. You are the victim; you can report it, and platforms can be asked to take content down.

An instant-loan app takes access to your contacts and photos, gives a small loan with huge charges, then threatens to send morphed photos or 'fraud' messages to everyone in your phone unless you pay within hours.

💡 Lenders and their recovery agents are not allowed to threaten, abuse or shame you or your contacts. Don't pay through new links in panic; keep evidence and complain.

A PDF or photo that looks like a court or police notice arrives on WhatsApp or email with seals and signatures, says a warrant or case is pending, and asks you to pay a 'security' or 'settlement' amount to a person or account to avoid arrest.

💡 Courts don't take payments into personal accounts to 'cancel' a warrant, and a genuine case can be checked independently. Verify through the court's official records (eCourts) or by visiting the court / police station — never through the number on the notice.