तुमने पुलवामा आतंकी को 70 लाख भेजे... रिटायर अधिकारी को आया फोन, उठाते ही लगे कांपने, अब खुला बड़ा फ्रॉड - News18 Hindi — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 01, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Beware the "Pulwama Terrorist Funding" Scam: How to Stay Safe in 2026

Fraudsters are exploiting patriotic sentiments to trick Indians out of their hard-earned money – here's how to recognize and avoid the "तुमने पुलवामा आतंकी को 70 लाख भेजे" scam.

What Is the तुमने पुलवामा आतंकी को 70 लाख भेजे... रिटायर अधिकारी को आया फोन, उठाते ही लगे कांपने, अब खुला बड़ा फ्रॉड - News18 Hindi?

This scam, often referred to as the "Pulwama Terrorist Funding" scam, preys on the fear and national pride of Indian citizens, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals like retired government officials. Scammers make a seemingly unbelievable claim – alleging that the victim has sent a large sum of money, often citing INR 70 lakhs, to a terrorist involved in the Pulwama attack. The alarming nature of the accusation is designed to shock and disorient the victim, making them more susceptible to the scammer's instructions. By invoking the Pulwama terror attack, a deeply sensitive and emotional topic in India, the criminals aim to bypass rational thought and induce impulsive reactions from their targets.

The scam is becoming increasingly common, evolving alongside India's digital landscape. While the initial reports may have been isolated, reports to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) indicate a rise in similarly themed attacks, targeting retired officials and other individuals perceived as vulnerable. It's important to remember that legitimate law enforcement will never ask for sensitive information or money over the phone. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has repeatedly warned against sharing sensitive banking details with unknown callers, reinforcing the need for vigilance.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

Here's how these fraudsters typically operate:

1. Initial Contact: The scam begins with an unexpected phone call. The caller often claims to be from a law enforcement agency (like the CBI or NIA), a government department, or even a bank.

2. The Accusation: The scammer then levels the shocking accusation: that the victim has transferred a large sum of money (e.g., INR 70 lakhs) to a person linked to the Pulwama terror attack. The objective is to instill fear, panic, and confusion.

3. Impersonation and Intimidation: The caller may use authoritative language and pose as a high-ranking official. They can use publicly available information (such as the victim's name, address, or prior employment) to appear credible. VoIP technology (Voice over Internet Protocol) is often used to mask the caller's true identity or spoof phone numbers.

4. Coercion: The scammer demands the victim's cooperation to "clear their name." This may involve asking them to provide sensitive information, such as Aadhaar details, PAN card number, bank account numbers, UPI PINs, or OTPs (One-Time Passwords).

5. Financial Loss: Under duress, the victim may unknowingly share confidential details, install remote access software, or transfer funds directly to the scammer’s account. The scammers might request an initial "verification" amount, followed by larger sums under the guise of "taxes" or "legal fees."

6. Isolation: The scammer instructs the victim to keep the matter secret, preventing them from seeking advice from family or friends who might recognize the scam.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unexpected Phone Call: Be wary of unsolicited calls, especially those involving serious accusations related to terrorism or illegal activities.
• Demands for Secrecy: A legitimate authority will never ask you to keep an investigation secret from your family or friends.
• Request for Sensitive Information: Never share Aadhaar details, bank account information, UPI PINs, or OTPs with unknown callers. Real law enforcement or banks will never ask for this over the phone.
• Threats and Intimidation: Scammers rely on fear tactics. Stay calm and do not be pressured into making hasty decisions.
• Poor Grammar and Language: Pay attention to the caller's language. Scammers may have poor grammar or use language inconsistent with official communication.
• Urgent Requests for Money: Legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment to resolve a legal issue.
• Caller ID Spoofing: Be aware that scammers can manipulate caller ID to display fake numbers that appear legitimate.

What Happens to Victims

The impact of this scam extends beyond financial loss. Victims may experience:

• Financial Devastation: Loss of savings, retirement funds, or other assets. Reversing UPI transactions after falling victim to fraud can be difficult and time-consuming.
• Emotional Distress: Feelings of shame, guilt, anger, fear, and anxiety. The accusation of terrorism can be particularly traumatizing.
• Identity Theft: Misuse of Aadhaar and other personal information to open fraudulent accounts or obtain loans.
• Social Isolation: Victims may be reluctant to share their experience with others, leading to feelings of isolation and depression.
• SIM Swap Fraud: Scammers might use stolen information to initiate a SIM swap, gaining control of the victim's phone number and intercepting OTPs for further fraudulent activities.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The RBI consistently advises the public to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages asking for bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive information. They stress that banks never ask for confidential details through unsolicited communications.

CERT-In (the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) regularly issues alerts and advisories on various cyber threats, including phishing scams and impersonation fraud. They urge citizens to report cyber incidents to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and to take preventive measures to protect themselves from cyberattacks. The 1930 cybercrime helpline is another crucial resource.

While there may not be advisories specifically mentioning the "Pulwama Terrorist Funding" by name, the general principles of vigilance against impersonation and phishing apply directly.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Be Suspicious: Treat every unsolicited call or message with extreme caution, especially if it involves accusations or requests for money.
2. Verify Independently: If the caller claims to be from a bank or government agency, independently verify their identity by contacting the organization directly using contact information from their official website (NOT the number provided by the caller).
3. Never Share Sensitive Information: Never disclose Aadhaar details, bank account numbers, UPI PINs, OTPs, or any other sensitive information to unknown callers.
4. Use Strong Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Protect your online accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
5. Install and Update Security Software: Keep your computer and mobile devices protected with antivirus software and security updates.
6. Educate Yourself and Others: Share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues to help them avoid becoming victims.
7. Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious calls or messages to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and the 1930 helpline.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

1. Report the Incident: Immediately report the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and call the 1930 cybercrime helpline.
2. File a Police Complaint: File a formal complaint with your local police station.
3. Contact Your Bank: Immediately contact your bank and request them to freeze your accounts and reverse any unauthorized transactions.
4. Change Your Passwords: Change all your passwords for online accounts, including email, social media, and banking platforms.
5. Monitor Your Credit Report: Check your credit report for any signs of identity theft or fraudulent activity.
6. Inform Aadhaar Authorities: If you suspect your Aadhaar information has been compromised, contact UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).
7. Seek Emotional Support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional to cope with the emotional distress caused by the scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if I receive a call accusing me of sending money to a terrorist?

A: Do not panic or engage with the caller. Immediately disconnect the call and report the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and call the 1930 cybercrime helpline.

Q: How can I verify if a caller claiming to be from a government agency is legitimate?

A: Do not trust the caller ID or any contact information provided by the caller. Independently verify their identity by contacting the agency directly using contact information from their official website.

Q: Is it possible to recover money lost in this type of scam?

A: While recovering lost money is not guaranteed, acting quickly and reporting the incident to the authorities and your bank increases your chances of recovering some or all of the funds. File the cyber crime complaint immediately.

Always be skeptical of unsolicited messages. If something seems suspicious, verify it first at BharatSecure.app.