Ayushman Card Creation Fee Scam — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 28, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Beware the 2026 Ayushman Card Creation Fee Scam: Protect Your Money from UPI, WhatsApp, and OTP Frauds in India

In 2026, scammers impersonating government schemes around the Ayushman Bharat health insurance card are duping Indians using WhatsApp and UPI-based tricks to steal money via fake “processing fees.”

What Is the Ayushman Card Creation Fee Scam?

The Ayushman Card Creation Fee Scam targets Indian citizens eager to obtain the Ayushman Bharat health insurance card, a vital government scheme offering financial protection for medical treatment to economically vulnerable families. Scammers exploit the trust placed in this flagship initiative by circulating fake offers on social media, WhatsApp groups, and community forums where people seek help to access government health benefits.

Victims are often rural and semi-urban residents who may lack full awareness of official government procedures. This scam has become widespread across various Indian states, as reported by public complaints received by the Indian government’s Integrated Fraud Management System and cybercrime cells. CERT-In and I4C have flagged similar health welfare-related scams in their advisories, urging citizens to verify any payment requests before sharing sensitive details like mobile OTPs or UPI PINs.

Scam communications use fake logos, mimic official language, and sometimes showcase fabricated testimonials to convince victims that paying a “processing fee” guarantees quick Ayushman card delivery. However, the government does not charge any fee for creating or issuing the Ayushman Bharat card, making all such payment demands fraudulent.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact Through WhatsApp or Social Media: Victims receive a forwarded message or WhatsApp text claiming to offer fast issuance of the Ayushman Bharat card with a small “processing fee” charged upfront. The message may have a fake link that looks official, urging immediate action.

2. Engagement and Request for Details: When victims respond, scammers ask for personal information such as full name, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and sometimes bank account details purportedly necessary for government verification.

3. UPI Payment Request: Scammers then request instant payment via UPI, often asking victims to pay an amount between ₹200 and ₹1000 to a UPI ID like ayu***@bank or verify the transaction by sharing an OTP received on the victim’s phone.

4. OTP Trap and Money Transfer: When victims enter the UPI PIN after receiving an OTP, fraudsters exploit it to transfer money out of the victim’s bank account immediately. Victims might not realize the theft until later.

5. False Assurance and Delay Tactics: After payment, scammers continue messaging or calling to extract more money under various pretexts like “additional verification fees” or “expedited delivery,” while the promised Ayushman Card never arrives.

6. Blocking and Disappearance: Eventually, the accused scammers block victims on WhatsApp or phone, making recovery impossible.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Any demand for an upfront “processing fee” to get the Ayushman Bharat card — the government does not charge for this.
• Requests to pay via UPI or share OTPs for verification purposes.
• Messages or callers using unofficial or generic WhatsApp numbers, not from government domains.
• Urgency in messaging (“pay now to avoid cancellation”) pressuring for quick decisions.
• Fake testimonials or certificates attempting to mimic official government documents.
• Links that do not start with “https://” or do not go to official government websites.
• Repeated calls asking for additional money after initial payment.

What Happens to Victims

Victims of this scam face both financial and emotional distress. The immediate loss is the money transferred via UPI, which is often irreversible if the transaction succeeds with victim-shared OTPs. Unlike some banking transactions, UPI payments authorized by OTP and PIN cannot typically be reversed unless fraud is proven promptly and police complaints are registered.

Further, victims may fear Aadhaar misuse since personal data (like Aadhaar number and phone) is collected by scammers. This can lead to SIM swap attacks where fraudsters hijack mobile numbers linked to UPI for unauthorized banking transactions. The trauma of losing hard-earned money under false pretenses causes anxiety and distrust in digital government initiatives, impacting sustained efforts towards financial inclusion.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) continuously caution citizens against sharing OTPs or UPI PINs with unknown parties. RBI guidance explicitly states no reputable agency or government department will ask for PINs or OTPs over calls or messages. CERT-In urges verifying all payment requests and reporting suspicious activities.

For reporting financial fraud, citizens can contact the RBI’s customer complaint helpline or file grievances with the banking ombudsman. In cybercrime matters, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Integrated Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) recommends calling the 1930 Cybercrime helpline or filing complaints at cybercrime.gov.in. Prompt reporting increases chances of tracing fraudsters and mitigating damage.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Remember: No Fee for Ayushman Card: The government issues Ayushman Bharat cards free, so never pay for “processing” or “fast-tracking.”
2. Verify Official Sources: Check eligibility and application details only on government websites like pmjay.gov.in or through official app portals.
3. Never Share OTP or UPI PIN: Legitimate agencies do not ask for these. Keep them confidential.
4. Avoid Clicking Links from Unknown Messages: Instead, go directly to authorized government websites.
5. Reject Pressure Tactics: If someone urges immediate payment or threats, it’s likely a scam.
6. Use Official Mobile Apps: Apply or check status via verified government or authorised state health portals.
7. Report Suspicious Messages Immediately: Forward scam messages to platforms like BharatSecure.app for verification.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately block the sender and do not respond further.
• Contact your bank to report unauthorized UPI transactions and request account freeze or blocking of UPI ID if possible.
• Report the fraud to your local police cybercrime cell or lodge a complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in.
• Call the 1930 Cybercrime helpline for guidance on filing FIR and next steps.
• Inform your mobile service provider if you suspect SIM swap attempts.
• Keep all screenshots, messages, and call logs as evidence for investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can the Ayushman Bharat card be legitimately obtained by paying any fee?
No. The Ayushman Bharat health insurance card is issued free of cost by the government. Any demand for a fee, especially via UPI or WhatsApp, is fraudulent and should not be trusted.

Q2: How can I verify if a message about Ayushman card fees is genuine?
Always cross-check with official government websites like pmjay.gov.in or contact your nearest health authority. Do not rely on forwarded WhatsApp messages or unknown social media posts.

Q3: What should I do if I have shared my UPI OTP or PIN with someone claiming to help with the Ayushman card?
Immediately inform your bank to block transactions and UPI access. Change your UPI PIN if possible and file a complaint with local police cybercrime units and the 1930 helpline.

Protect yourself by staying alert and cautious. Verify before you pay—remember the Ayushman Bharat card is free. If in doubt, check with BharatSecure.app and report suspicious messages urgently using the 1930 helpline.

Disclaimer: This article describes a pattern of fraud reported in public sources for public-safety awareness. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. To request correction or removal of any content, write to hello@bharatsecure.app.