Report a UPI Scam

Lost money to a UPI scam, or got a suspicious payment link? Act fast. Check the link below, then report it to your bank and the cyber helpline.

How to report UPI fraud in India

Money moved by UPI can sometimes be frozen if you report it within hours. Speed matters more than anything else. Do these in order.

  1. Call your bank right now. Use the number on your card or in your banking app, not one from the message that scammed you. Ask them to freeze the transaction and your account if needed.
  2. Call the cyber helpline, 1930. It's a 24x7 national number for financial cyber fraud. Report fast and they can try to freeze the money in the scammer's account before it's withdrawn.
  3. File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Pick "Report Financial Fraud." You'll get an acknowledgement number. Keep it. Save every screenshot, the UPI transaction ID, and the scammer's number or UPI ID.
  4. Raise a dispute in your UPI app. PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, and BHIM all have an in-app "Raise a dispute" or "Report" option. Do this too. It creates a second paper trail.
  5. Report the number or message on Sanchar Saathi. Suspicious calls and texts go to the Chakshu tool at sancharsaathi.gov.in. It helps get fraud numbers blocked.

How UPI scams actually work

Almost every UPI scam relies on one trick: getting you to approve a payment you think is a receipt. You never receive money by entering your PIN. Only by sending it.

  • The "collect request." A "buyer" sends a request that looks like they're paying you. Approving it with your PIN sends money to them instead.
  • Fake QR codes. Scanning a QR and entering your PIN pays out, it never pays in. A real refund never needs your PIN.
  • KYC and "account blocked" texts. A link to "re-verify" your bank or wallet. It's a phishing page that harvests your login and OTP.
  • Wrong-number refunds. "I sent you money by mistake, please return it." The original credit was fake or reversed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my money back after a UPI scam?

Sometimes, yes, if you report within a few hours. The 1930 helpline and your bank can try to freeze the funds while they're still in the scammer's account. Once withdrawn, recovery is much harder. That's why speed beats everything.

Do I need to enter my UPI PIN to receive money?

Never. Receiving money needs nothing from you. If anyone tells you to enter your PIN or scan a QR "to get a refund," it's a scam. Stop there.

What details should I keep for the complaint?

The UPI transaction ID, the amount and time, the scammer's UPI ID or phone number, and screenshots of the chat or payment. These map directly to what 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in ask for.