Scam guide
The patterns behind the accounts we expose, and how to recognise them.
Universal red flags
- ▲Anyone asking you to pay to receive money, a prize, a job or a refund.
- ▲Police, CBI, ED, customs or TRAI calling or video-calling you. They never do this.
- ▲Pressure to act within minutes, keep the call secret, or stay on video.
- ▲A UPI collect request or QR code to receive money. Scanning or approving always sends money.
- ▲Being asked to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer or an APK sent on WhatsApp.
- ▲Guaranteed returns, insider stock tips, or a trading app not on Play Store or App Store.
- ▲A bank account in an individual's name for a company payment.
Fake police, CBI or ED video calls demanding money to clear your name.
Fake stock, forex or crypto trading groups and apps promising guaranteed returns.
Like-and-earn, review tasks or data-entry jobs that require deposits.
Instant loan apps with hidden charges, contact scraping and extortion.
Collect requests, fake refund links, QR code and wrong-transfer tricks.
Calls or SMS asking to share OTP or update KYC or PAN to avoid blocking.
Clones of banks, government portals, courier or electricity sites.
Recorded video calls followed by blackmail demands.
Long-con relationships ending in requests for money or customs fees.
Fake buyers or sellers, army-man scams, advance payment fraud.
Parcel-with-drugs story that leads to a digital arrest.
KBC lottery, lucky draw, prize-release fees.
Power disconnection tonight unless you pay via link or install an app.
Rug pulls, fake exchanges, pig-butchering wallets, fake airdrops.
Fake boss, relative, bank officer or customer-care numbers.
Fake or fraudulent website.
Scam run over WhatsApp calls or messages.
A link that steals money or data when opened.
Fraudulent mobile or desktop app.
General scam.
Betting, gaming or prediction app fraud.
Fake jobs and paid tasks.
Instant loan app fraud and harassment.
What is a mule account?
A mule account is a bank account, UPI ID or wallet used to receive and quickly move stolen money so it cannot be traced back to the scammer. Mules are often students, gig workers or villagers who rented out their account for a few thousand rupees, or victims of KYC fraud whose accounts were opened without their knowledge. Money typically hops through several mule accounts within minutes, then exits as cash, crypto or gift cards.
Because of this, listings here identify accounts used in fraud, not necessarily the people who committed it. Report quickly to 1930 so banks can freeze funds before the next hop.
Report an account