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Fraudsters often impersonate telecom or banking authorities, or claim that one has ordered and is culpable for parcels with contraband.
Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials on video calls, threatening victims with arrest over fake charges, and compelling them to transfer large sums of money. (Representational image)
Sophisticated digital payment scams are not limited to vulnerable groups—they’re increasingly affecting tech-savvy young Indians and even celebrities and influencers. According to Visa’s Language of Fraud report, younger generations are the most vulnerable to these scams. On this National Youth Day, the digital payments platform sheds light on the rising frauds targeting the youth and shares actionable tips to help them stay secure online.
For more details on emerging scams and practical tips to stay secure, read below;
- Digital Arrest Scams: Fraudsters often impersonate telecom or banking authorities, or claim that one has ordered and is culpable for parcels with contraband. They hold victims digitally hostage for hours or even days, making them part with personal/financial information and money. Genuine officials will not threaten, intimidate or coerce you, or request payments over the phone. Stay calm, demand official documentation, and report such calls immediately to the Cybercrime Helpline (dial 1930), on their portal or the NCRP. When in doubt, do not entertain such calls at all, especially from international numbers.
- Scholarship Scams: Even if you need financial aid for education, beware of fraudsters with promises of non-existent scholarships, demanding application or student visa fees or personal details. Always research organisations thoroughly and avoid scholarships that demand upfront payments unless verified.
- QR Code Scams: QR codes make payments quickly, but scammers exploit them to steal data or redirect you to malicious sites. Refrain from paying in haste without verifying the sender and remember that you need not scan a QR code to receive money, however lucrative the reward.
- Crypto and Investment Scams: Cryptocurrency’s promises of easy, instant wealth can be hard to resist, especially for young investors. Scammers offer investment opportunities with low risk and high returns but if something sounds too good to be true, it’s likely a scam, so avoid it. Research well and never invest in schemes you don’t understand.
- Online Shopping Scams: Fake e-commerce sites splash appealing deals and discounts to lure bargain hunters but deliver counterfeit products or nothing at all. Stick to trusted shopping platforms, check reviews, and use secure payment methods like credit cards that offer buyer protection. Card payments through Visa are secured with strong fraud protection features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and tokenisation for added security.
Be aware of these scams and share them with your friends so you can stay safe from novel forms of fraud.
