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India scam alerts (Bharat)
India recorded over ₹11,300 crore in cyber-fraud losses in 2024 per I4C data, dominated by 'digital arrest' impersonation, UPI fraud, and KYC-update SMS phishing. Below is the live GACS feed of India-targeted cases and the I4C / RBI / SEBI channels for reporting and recovery.
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What this is
This page indexes scams reported by or targeting residents of India. Entries are cross-referenced against the I4C cybercrime portal, the RBI Sachet warning list, and SEBI's Investor Protection alerts.
Red flags to watch for
- Video call from 'CBI', 'ED', 'Customs', or 'Mumbai Police' claiming a parcel/Aadhaar is linked to crime — this is the 'digital arrest' scam
- 'KYC expired' SMS asking you to call a number or click a link — banks never request KYC via SMS
- UPI 'collect request' instead of a payment — never approve a UPI request from a stranger
- WhatsApp investment group with 'SEBI-registered advisor' guaranteeing fixed returns
- IRCTC / Amazon / Flipkart 'reward' that requires you to share OTP
Live cases from the GACS feed
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What to do if you've been targeted
- 1
Call 1930 immediately
The I4C cyber helpline is 24x7. The first 60 minutes are critical for hold-on-funds requests to the receiving bank.
- 2
File at cybercrime.gov.in
Upload screenshots, transaction IDs, UPI references. You'll get an acknowledgement number for follow-up.
- 3
Notify your bank
Contact your bank's fraud helpline (numbers on each bank's site). Request a hold and provide the I4C acknowledgement number.
- 4
Lock UPI / SIM
Disable UPI from your bank app if compromised. Use your telecom provider's SIM-lock to prevent SIM swap.
- 5
Activate Shield
Save the caller's number, UPI ID, and any websites to your free GACS Shield.
FAQs
Where do I report a cyber crime in India?
cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (24x7 helpline) for the I4C National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Bank-fraud-specific: RBI Sachet (sachet.rbi.org.in). Investment: SEBI SCORES (scores.sebi.gov.in).
Can I get a refund for a UPI scam?
Report to 1930 within 24h — if funds are still in the receiving bank's holding window, partial recovery is possible. Always file with cybercrime.gov.in and your bank in parallel.
What's a 'digital arrest' scam?
Fake police/CBI officials hold victims on video calls for hours, demanding 'verification' transfers to escape arrest. There is no such thing as legal digital arrest in India — hang up, do not transfer.
How do I report a scam to GACS?
Submit the wallet address, website, phone number, or social handle at gacs.app. Each report is cross-checked against CryptoScamDB, URLhaus, and on-chain analysis before publication. Activate your free GACS Shield to monitor follow-on activity tied to the same actor.
Is the GACS Shield really free?
Yes. Activating your free Shield gives you unlimited scans, saved history, weekly alerts, and a watchlist — no card, no trial. There is no paid scanner tier.
Related scam profiles & guides
Activate your free GACS Shield
Save scammer handles, wallets, and domains. Get alerted when the same actor surfaces in a new report. Unlimited scans, no card.
Get My Free Scam AlertsAuthoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
- US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraud
Consumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
- UK Action Fraud
UK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.
