KBC Impersonation Phone Call Fraud — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 30, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

KBC Impersonation Phone Call Fraud in India 2026: How Scammers Target You via UPI, WhatsApp & OTP

KBC impersonation phone call fraud is a rising cyber threat in India where fraudsters trick victims into sharing UPI OTPs or WhatsApp messages to steal money.

What Is the KBC Impersonation Phone Call Fraud?

This scam involves callers who impersonate hosts or representatives of the popular TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) to lure unsuspecting victims with fake prize offers. The fraud targets everyday Indians, often those who enjoy participating in KBC or similar quiz shows, by promising large cash rewards or lottery winnings. The scam has spread widely across urban and semi-urban India, exploiting how trusted the KBC brand is among viewers.

According to public complaints reported to police and cybercrime authorities, scammers pose as KBC officials and contact victims through phone calls or WhatsApp. They use social engineering techniques to gain trust, convincing victims to share sensitive information like OTPs (One-Time Passwords) linked to their UPI transactions or bank accounts. Once the fraudsters get this data, they initiate unauthorized money transfers.

Regulatory bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) have issued advisories reminding people to be cautious about phone calls claiming lottery or prize winnings, especially when prompted to share OTPs. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has also flagged KBC impersonation as a high-risk scam pattern in 2024-2026.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: Victims receive an unexpected phone call or WhatsApp message claiming to be from KBC or one of its affiliates. The caller congratulates them on winning a large prize or being shortlisted for a lucky draw.
2. Building Trust: The caller may sound official, providing fake registration numbers or referencing popular TV anchors. They may urge the victim to keep the call confidential to “protect the prize.”
3. Request for Verification: To “release the winnings,” the fraudster asks the victim to verify their identity via an OTP sent through UPI or bank SMS. Sometimes, they request WhatsApp messages involving UPI payment links.
4. Sharing OTPs or Links: The victim unknowingly shares the OTP or clicks on fraudulent payment links, which the callers use immediately to authorize fund transfers from the victim’s bank or UPI account.
5. Money Transfer: Using the OTP or obtained payment approval, fraudsters complete UPI transactions, transferring money out of the victim’s account to accounts controlled by them.
6. Subsequent Blocking or Silence: After the money is stolen, the caller may disappear or threaten the victim not to share details to avoid jeopardizing the prize, leaving the victim isolated.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unexpected call or message claiming you won KBC prize money without prior participation.
• Callers pressuring you to quickly share OTPs or payment authorization codes.
• Requests to click on suspicious WhatsApp payment links or share bank details.
• Callers insisting on secrecy or threatening loss of prize if you tell others.
• Receiving unsolicited WhatsApp messages from unfamiliar numbers linked to KBC.
• Caller’s numbering appearing as private or masked phone numbers.
• Poor grammar or inconsistent details about official KBC processes.

What Happens to Victims

Victims commonly face immediate financial loss as scamsters drain money via UPI transactions authorised through stolen OTPs. Since RBI regulations currently do not guarantee complete reversal of UPI payments made after OTP sharing, victims often struggle to recover funds. Many victims also report mental stress, embarrassment, and loss of trust in digital payments.

In some cases, scammers also misuse Aadhaar data gathered during calls or through forced app installations to carry out identity theft or SIM swap frauds, which magnify losses. Victims must act quickly to freeze bank accounts or UPI handles to prevent further theft.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The RBI regularly cautions consumers against sharing OTPs or personal banking credentials over phone or online, stressing that no official body requests such details to release prizes. CERT-In advises vigilance towards social engineering scams where fraudsters impersonate brands like KBC to gain victims’ trust.

The national 24x7 cybercrime helpline 1930 is promoted by law enforcement and the Indian government for reporting such incidents. RBI and CERT-In resources emphasize using official digital banking apps only and verifying suspicious calls independently before acting.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share your UPI OTP or banking OTP over phone or WhatsApp under any circumstance.
2. Do not click payment links sent by unknown or unverified contacts.
3. Verify prize claims by directly contacting official KBC channels through their verified website or helpline.
4. Reject calls from unknown numbers claiming lottery winnings or official prize money.
5. Use app-based banking or UPI apps with multi-factor authentication to add security.
6. Register your mobile number with the National Do Not Disturb (DND) service to reduce spam calls.
7. Immediately report suspicious calls to the 1930 cybercrime helpline and file complaints on cybercrime.gov.in.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately block the caller’s number and do not engage further.
• Contact your bank and UPI app provider to freeze transactions or block your account temporarily.
• Change all related passwords and enable two-factor authentication for your payment apps.
• File a cybercrime complaint on cybercrime.gov.in with full details of the incident.
• Call the government 1930 helpline for assistance and guidance on next steps.
• Keep all messages and call records as evidence for law enforcement follow-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get my money back if I shared my OTP in a KBC impersonation scam?
A: UPI transactions authorized using your OTP are generally considered valid by banks, making refunds difficult. You should contact your bank immediately to report fraud and explore reversal options, but prompt reporting is critical.

Q: How can I verify if a KBC call is genuine?
A: Official KBC prize selection never requires OTP sharing or payment requests over phone/WhatsApp. Verify any call by contacting KBC’s verified website or official customer service.

Q: What should I do if I get multiple calls from fraudsters claiming lottery winnings?
A: Avoid answering suspicious calls. Block unknown numbers, register with DND, and report repeated harassment to cybercrime authorities via 1930 helpline.

Stay safe by verifying every suspicious offer or call on BharatSecure.app and reporting 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.