Fake UPI Request Fraud on Classifieds — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 29, 2026

Severity: CRITICAL | View Full Scam Details

Fake UPI Request Fraud on Classifieds in India 2026: Beware of This Rising Digital Threat

Scammers in India are increasingly using fake UPI payment requests on classified ads platforms to trick innocent users and steal money via WhatsApp phishing attacks.

What Is the Fake UPI Request Fraud on Classifieds?

This scam targets individuals trying to buy or sell items on Indian classified platforms, WhatsApp groups, or social media marketplaces. Fraudsters posing as genuine buyers or sellers create fake UPI payment requests tied to fraudulent UPI IDs or accounts. When victims try to pay or receive funds, the money is redirected to scam accounts, leading to financial loss.

The scam is widespread across urban and semi-urban India due to the popularity of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for instant money transfers. Cybercrime complaints received by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and CERT-In have highlighted an alarming increase in such incidents in 2025-2026. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also issued warnings about verifying UPI IDs before making payments, highlighting the risk posed by fake payment requests.

Victims commonly include first-time buyers of second-hand mobile phones, vehicles, or electronics who rely on WhatsApp for communication. The absence of direct bank verification in UPI requests and the ease of sharing UPI IDs makes this scam particularly effective.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: The scam begins when the alleged buyer or seller contacts the victim — typically through WhatsApp or classified ad comments — showing serious interest.

2. Fake UPI Payment Request: The fraudster sends a UPI payment request via UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm. The request appears to come from a UPI ID that looks legitimate but is linked to the scammer's bank account.

3. Verification Attempts: The victim may receive confirmation messages or call the “buyer” to confirm the transaction. The scammer might provide fake payment screenshots or use social engineering to convince the victim.

4. Request Modification or Duplicate Requests: Sometimes the scammer cancels the first UPI request and sends a new one with a slightly altered UPI ID to confuse the victim.

5. UPI Payment Made by the Victim: Trusting the messages, the victim approves the UPI request thinking the amount will go to the genuine party but ends up transferring money to the scammer’s account.

6. Victim Loses Contact: The scammer then blocks the victim on WhatsApp or other platforms, making it impossible to recover the money.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• UPI ID looks unusual: Contains random letters or numbers instead of an identifiable name or business.
• Pressure tactics: Fraudsters rush you to approve a payment before you can verify details.
• Unsolicited UPI requests: Receiving "payment requests" from unknown contacts or newly created WhatsApp accounts.
• Multiple payment requests: Receiving cancel-and-replace payment requests or different UPI IDs for the same deal.
• Lack of official communication: No professional paperwork or verified business details on classifieds platform.
• Requests only via WhatsApp: Refusal to talk on phone or meet physically before payment.
• Screenshots of payment sent are blurry or inconsistent: Often edited or outdated visuals used to fake payment proof.

What Happens to Victims

Victims can lose thousands or even lakhs of Indian Rupees, especially in high-value purchases of vehicles or electronics. UPI payments, once approved, are final and irreversible unless the receiver agrees to refund. Unlike traditional banking, RBI guidelines currently do not mandate mandatory reversal for fraudulent UPI transfers initiated by customers.

Financial loss can disrupt household budgets, especially since victims often transfer money to individuals they do not know personally. Beyond money, victims face emotional stress, embarrassment, and loss of trust in online marketplaces. In some cases, the scam could lead to misuse of Aadhaar-linked data or SIM swap incidents if the victim’s phone number is compromised in the process.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

RBI has issued guidelines emphasizing the importance of verifying the payee’s UPI ID before approving payments. It warns customers to avoid authorising UPI requests from unknown contacts and to use payee verification features in UPI apps.

CERT-In and I4C advise users to be cautious when transacting through classifieds and social media platforms. The 1930 cybercrime helpline operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs caters to victims of digital payments fraud and can guide in filing complaints.

Currently, the IT Rules 2021 require platforms facilitating online classifieds to have grievance redressal mechanisms and user verification systems, but enforcement remains evolving. RBI’s customer protection framework for UPI transactions encourages customers to report fraud immediately to their banks and cybercrime authorities.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Always verify the UPI ID by checking the “name” associated with it in your payment app before approving any request.
2. Never approve a payment or share OTPs and PINs without confirming with the other party via a trusted method, such as a phone call or in-person meeting.
3. Do not respond or click on unsolicited payment requests or links from unknown WhatsApp contacts or classified ad comments.
4. Use secure, official platforms for buying and selling and prefer face-to-face payment or escrow services when possible.
5. Set UPI transaction limits in your app to limit potential losses.
6. Install the latest app updates and enable app-level security (like app lock or biometrics) on your UPI apps.
7. Report any suspicious UPI payment requests immediately to your bank and the 1930 cybercrime helpline.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

1. Immediately block the fraudulent UPI ID in your payment app and note down transaction details like UPI ID, transaction ID, date, and amount.
2. Contact your bank customer care and request a freeze on your UPI account or linked bank account if fraud is suspected.
3. File a complaint with your bank’s fraud grievance cell and demand a preliminary fraud investigation.
4. Lodge a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call the 1930 helpline for assistance.
5. Change passwords and PINs of your UPI apps and registered mobile number's SIM security settings to prevent SIM swap or further misuse.
6. Report the fraud to the classified ads platform and WhatsApp so they can take down the scammer’s profiles.
7. Keep all communication records and screenshots as evidence for law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get my money back if I approve a fake UPI payment request?
A: Generally, UPI payments are instant and irreversible. Banks may investigate and sometimes recover money if the fraud is proven quickly, but there is no guaranteed refund. Victims must report fraud as soon as possible.

Q: How can I check if a UPI ID is genuine before paying?
A: In your UPI app, enter the UPI ID and verify if the payee name matches the seller or buyer you intend to pay. If the name is unfamiliar or mismatched, do not proceed.

Q: Is it safe to buy and sell on WhatsApp or classifieds platforms using UPI?
A: While many users transact safely, scams have risen sharply. Always verify buyer/seller credentials, prefer verified platforms, and avoid paying via UPI without confirming payee details.

For suspicious messages or payment requests, verify the details first at BharatSecure.app and report suspected fraud immediately to the 1930 cybercrime 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.