Fraudulent Prize Win Phone Call Scam — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 27, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Beware the Fraudulent Prize Win Phone Call Scam in India 2026: How Scammers Are Targeting Your UPI and WhatsApp Accounts

Millions of Indians are being targeted in 2026 by a high-risk scam where fraudsters call pretending you’ve won a prize — but the real loss is your money and personal data.

What Is the Fraudulent Prize Win Phone Call Scam?

This scam involves fraudsters contacting unsuspecting individuals via phone calls or WhatsApp messages, falsely claiming that they have won a prize, lottery, or government scheme payout. The lure of winning something valuable prompts many to listen, but the end goal of scammers is to steal money or personal data.

In India, this scam targets people of all ages but more heavily those who may be less tech-savvy or vulnerable, such as the elderly. Scammers use social media profiles, leaked data from breaches, or even data bought from shady sources to identify potential victims.

The scam is widespread across India, exploiting popular communication platforms like WhatsApp (which is used by over 400 million Indians) and phone calls that appear to come from legitimate or local numbers. Both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) have issued warnings about rising phone call and messaging scams that impersonate government entities or reputed companies. The Indian government’s I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) also lists such fake prize calls among top modes of financial fraud in 2026.

Because these calls often use psychological tactics and technical tricks like number spoofing, many fall prey despite awareness campaigns.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: You receive an unsolicited phone call or a WhatsApp message saying you’ve won a big prize — sometimes framed as part of a government scheme, popular brand promotion, or lottery.

2. Building Trust: The caller uses a spoofed number that looks local or official, even sometimes mimicking government helpline numbers, making the call seem authentic.

3. Personal Information Request: They ask for basic details like your name, address, or Aadhaar number “to verify your identity” and proceed with the prize claim.

4. Psychological Pressure: They create urgency, claiming the prize will expire soon or that you must pay a processing fee or taxes upfront via UPI or net banking to receive your winnings.

5. Request for OTP or App Access: To “confirm” payment or identity, they ask you to share OTPs sent by your bank or request remote access to your phone through apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer.

6. Money Transfer: Once they get OTPs or direct banking access, they initiate UPI transfers or net-banking transactions, draining your accounts.

7. Disappearance: After the money is transferred, the fraudsters cut off contact. Victims realize only later that the prize was a hoax and their bank accounts emptied.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited calls or WhatsApp messages claiming you’ve won a prize without any entry or registration.
• Requests for advance payments or “processing fees” via UPI or digital wallets.
• Pressure to share OTPs or personal details like Aadhaar, PAN, or bank info.
• Use of remote access apps to control your phone or PC.
• Spoofed phone numbers that look official but are slightly off.
• Calls that threaten you with fines or legal action if you don’t respond immediately.
• Offers that sound too good to be true — like huge cash prizes for little or no effort.

What Happens to Victims

Victims often suffer immediate financial loss, with scammers transferring funds from their bank accounts via UPI or net banking. Because payments are authorized with OTPs provided by victims themselves, banks usually do not reverse these transactions. Victims have no protection under RBI’s guidelines against such self-authorized frauds.

Emotionally, victims feel betrayed and stressed, especially elders who may lose their lifetime savings. Some face identity theft risks when Aadhaar or PAN details are misused, affecting credit scores or enabling further fraud. Additionally, victims of SIM swap scams experience worsening problems, as fraudsters intercept OTPs and calls to maintain control over accounts.

Reporting the crime to police or cybercrime cells often involves a slow process, deepening frustration.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

RBI emphasizes never sharing OTPs or banking credentials with anyone, even if they claim to be bank or government officials. Their advisory stresses that no genuine prize requires upfront payment or remote phone access.

CERT-In regularly alerts citizens about social engineering scams like these and encourages reporting suspicious calls via the national cybercrime helpline 1930. They also collaborate with telecom service providers to block spoofed numbers and phishing attempts.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) recommends educating vulnerable groups and using features like “Do Not Disturb” (DND) registries to reduce spam calls. RBI helpline numbers and CERT-In portals provide easy escalation points for affected users.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never trust unsolicited prize calls or messages from unknown numbers.
2. Do not share OTPs, passwords, or Aadhaar details over the phone or WhatsApp.
3. Do not make any payments upfront — legitimate prizes never require advance fees.
4. Avoid installing or giving remote access through apps like AnyDesk to unknown callers.
5. Verify any prize claims via official websites or government channels independently.
6. Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry (NDNC) to reduce spam calls.
7. Inform family members, especially seniors, about this scam and encourage skepticism.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

1. Immediately block the scammer on call and WhatsApp.
2. Contact your bank to freeze or temporarily block your UPI and net banking accounts.
3. Report the fraud to your local police cybercrime cell and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
4. Call the national cybercrime helpline number 1930 for guidance and support.
5. Inform your telecom operator to check for SIM swap or suspicious SIM activity.
6. Change all banking and Aadhaar-linked mobile app passwords securely.
7. Monitor bank and credit statements closely for unauthorized activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get my money back if I paid the scammer through UPI?
A: Usually, no. RBI guidelines state that transactions authorized with your OTP are considered valid payments, and banks are not liable to refund unless fraud occurs without customer consent.

Q: How do scammers get my Aadhaar or phone number?
A: Scammers collect data from social media, previous data breaches, or buy it from third-party vendors. They also use public directories and mobile apps that unknowingly share your information.

Q: What should I do if I receive a call claiming to be from the government?
A: Do not share personal details or OTPs. Ask for an official reference number, hang up, and call the government helpline or verify the information on official websites.

Stay alert and protect yourself from fraud. Always verify suspicious prize messages or calls at BharatSecure.app before responding or sharing any information. Your safety is our priority!