Scam Library

A comprehensive guide to every type of online scam targeting Indian students. Learn how they work, how to spot them, and what to do.

50+ Scam Guides
7 Scam Categories
Real Case Studies
Free Always & Forever

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Pick a category below to jump straight to what matters most for you.

Social Media Scams

Scammers have flooded Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook with traps designed specifically for students.

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Fake Instagram Stores & COD Fraud
Scammers create convincing Instagram shops selling phones, clothes, or cosmetics. They take advance payments but never deliver. Learn the red flags before you pay.
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Fake Celebrity Giveaway Scams
Pages impersonating celebrities announce fake giveaways asking you to "register" by sending a processing fee or sharing OTPs. Here's how to identify fake accounts instantly.
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WhatsApp OTP Scam — Account Theft
A friend's hacked account asks you to "forward an OTP" as a favour. The moment you do, the scammer takes over your account and messages your contacts for money.
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Telegram Investment & Trading Groups
Groups promise guaranteed returns of 30%–200% per month through "insider tips." Small initial profits are paid to build trust before a large deposit disappears forever.
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Facebook Marketplace Fraud
Sellers list electronics at unrealistically low prices and ask for advance payment through obscure transfer methods. Red flags are easy to spot once you know what to look for.
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Instagram Impersonation & Hack Threats
Fake accounts pretend to be Instagram Support and claim your account will be deleted unless you verify credentials. Instagram never DMs you — these are always fake.

Job & Internship Scams

With millions of students looking for jobs and internships, this is the most common category of fraud targeting young Indians.

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Fake Internship Registration Fee Scam
Companies on LinkedIn, Instagram, or email demand ₹500–₹5,000 as a "registration fee" or "training cost." Legitimate companies never charge you to work for them.
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Work-From-Home Data Entry Scams
You're offered ₹15,000/month for simple data entry. After submitting your first batch of work, payment is denied unless you pay a "software fee" or "deposit." You never get paid.
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Fake Offer Letter & Onboarding Fraud
Scammers send professional-looking offer letters from fake versions of real companies, then request bank details, Aadhaar copies, and payments for "joining kits."
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Fake Freelance Platform Task Scams
You're invited to a "new platform" offering high-paying tasks. After completing work, you can't withdraw earnings without paying "taxes" or "verification fees." It's all fake.

Payment & UPI Scams

India's UPI revolution brought convenience — and a wave of scam tactics that trick you into sending money thinking you're receiving it.

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UPI Collect Request — The "Refund" Trick
Scammers send a UPI collect request and say "approve this to receive your refund." Approving a collect request means SENDING money — never receiving it.
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OLX Buyer QR Code Scam
A "buyer" sends a QR code saying "scan this to receive payment." Scanning the QR sends money FROM your account. Sellers never need to scan QR codes to receive payment.
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Fake KBC & Lottery Win Scams
You're told you've won a KBC prize or government lottery. To "release" the prize, you must pay a "TDS fee" or "processing charge." No such prize exists.

Gaming Scams

Gamers are prime targets. Scammers exploit the desire for free in-game currency, rare items, and account upgrades.

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Free UC / BP Generator Scams
Websites and YouTube videos promise "free UC generators" for BGMI/PUBG. They steal your login credentials or install malware. There are no free UC generators — ever.
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Free Diamonds & Elite Pass Fraud
Fake Free Fire top-up sites offer diamonds at 80% discount. Payments are accepted through UPI but diamonds never arrive — and your account credentials get stolen.
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Fake Game Account Recovery Services
Someone claims they can recover your banned or hacked account for a fee. They take your payment and login details, leave you with nothing, and sell your data.

Phishing Scams

Phishing tricks you into handing over credentials, OTPs, and money through fake websites and messages that look 100% real.

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Fake Bank KYC Update Scams
An SMS says your bank account will be frozen unless you update KYC via a link. The link leads to a fake bank portal that captures your login credentials and OTPs.
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Fake Aadhaar & PAN Verification Links
Fraudulent websites mimicking UIDAI or Income Tax portals ask for Aadhaar numbers, OTPs, and banking details under the guise of "mandatory verification."
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Fake College Fee Payment Portals
Convincing fake college payment portals capture your bank details during fee payment season. Always access your college portal by typing the URL — never through links in emails.

Investment & Crypto Scams

Promising quick riches and "guaranteed" returns, these scams have taken crores from Indian students through fake trading apps and Ponzi schemes.

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Telegram "Sure Shot" Trading Scams
You're added to a Telegram group by a "successful trader" who shares winning tips. Small wins build trust. Then you're invited to invest big on a fake platform and lose everything.
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Fake Cryptocurrency Investment Platforms
Slick apps show your investment growing rapidly. When you try to withdraw, you're told to pay "tax" or "unlock fees" first. The platform and your money then disappear.
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Multi-Level Marketing & Pyramid Schemes
Join, pay a fee, recruit 5 friends who each pay a fee, earn commission. These structures always collapse, leaving most participants losing money.

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