Impersonation and Financial Fraud (PAC Constable) — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated Jul 20, 2026

Severity: Medium | View Full Scam Details

Beware the 2026 PAC Constable Impersonation and Financial Fraud Scam in India

Calls and messages from alleged PAC constables are being used to trick many Indians into handing over money and personal details.

What Is the Impersonation and Financial Fraud (PAC Constable)?

This scam involves fraudsters impersonating Police Auxiliary Constabulary (PAC) personnel to intimidate and manipulate victims into making payments or sharing sensitive information. These callers claim to be officers investigating a serious legal issue, often threatening arrest, fines, or legal consequences unless immediate financial compliance is met. The target is typically everyday citizens across India, especially those less familiar with official police procedures or digital payment safeguards.

The scam has gained traction with the rise of mobile and online payments in India, exploiting the trust people place in law enforcement. Victims are frequently pressured to transfer money via UPI, mobile wallets, or bank transfers to accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Given that many incidents involve misuse of Aadhaar-linked services or SIM swapping to facilitate these transactions, the scam poses a severe financial and privacy risk.

According to advisories from CERT-In and reports registered under I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre), such impersonation scams, particularly involving law enforcement agency identities, have seen a worrying increase. The central and state police forces regularly warn against unsolicited calls demanding money or personal information, emphasizing that legal processes never require such urgent payments over the phone.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: The victim receives a phone call or WhatsApp message from an unknown number where the caller claims to be a PAC constable or part of a police investigation team. They often use caller ID spoofing to display a local police station number, adding credibility.

2. Threat and Urgency Creation: The caller alleges that the victim is involved in a criminal case—such as a fraud, theft, or a fake ID issue—and warns of imminent arrest or legal action if payments are not made immediately.

3. Demand for Payment: The caller instructs the victim to transfer a specific sum of money — sometimes ranging from a few thousand to lakhs of INR — via UPI, popular mobile wallets, or bank transfers to “clear the case.”

4. Extraction of Personal Details: To make the scam more convincing, the caller may ask for Aadhaar number, OTPs from bank or UPI apps, or details like PAN numbers. Such information helps them bypass security measures or commit identity fraud.

5. Use of SIM Swap Techniques: Some victims report that after divulging personal info, their SIM cards get deactivated or swapped remotely, making it easier for fraudsters to hijack mobile banking accounts or intercept OTPs.

6. Victim Compliance and Money Loss: Under pressure and fear, victims comply with the demands. Once the money is transferred, the caller disappears, and victims realize the entire setup was fake.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from PAC or police, with urgent threats of arrest or fines.
• Pressure to make immediate payments via UPI or mobile wallets without any formal legal notice or documentation.
• Requests for OTPs, Aadhaar numbers, or bank details over the phone or WhatsApp.
• Caller ID showing local police station numbers but asking for personal financial info.
• Threats to deactivate SIM cards or block accounts if victims don’t comply.
• No option given to verify the case through official channels or visit a police station in person.
• Victims are asked to keep the call secret, increasing the chance of falling for the scam.

What Happens to Victims

The financial damage can be severe. Victims lose money that is difficult to recover, especially if transferred via instant UPI payments. RBI’s current UPI regulations do not support reversals in cases of fraud unless banks or app providers intervene quickly. In some cases, victims face identity theft due to Aadhaar misuse, leading to further complications like unauthorized loan accounts or SIM swaps that block access to banking apps.

Emotionally, victims suffer from anxiety, fear of legal trouble, and mistrust in authorities and digital payment platforms. The embarrassment and stress may prevent them from reporting the incident promptly, reducing chances of recovering funds or preventing identity abuse.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regularly issues advisories discouraging payment to unknown callers claiming to be government or police officials. The RBI emphasizes that legitimate investigations do not demand instant payments over phone calls or apps like WhatsApp.

CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team - India) urges citizens to treat all unsolicited calls demanding money cautiously and to avoid sharing any OTPs or Aadhaar details. They recommend verifying any suspicious communication through official police websites or trusted channels.

If you encounter such a call, CERT-In suggests reporting immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or calling the 24x7 cybercrime helpline at 1930 for guidance.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share OTPs, bank PINs, Aadhaar, or PAN details over the phone or WhatsApp.
2. Do not make payments based on a phone call demanding urgent money to avoid arrest or fines.
3. Verify police-related calls by directly contacting your local police station through official numbers.
4. Register your mobile number with the Do Not Disturb (DND) service to reduce unsolicited calls.
5. Use strong mobile security — lock your SIM with a PIN and avoid sharing OTPs with anyone.
6. Regularly check your bank and UPI transaction history for unauthorized transactions.
7. Report suspicious calls or messages to the cybercrime portal and the 1930 helpline immediately.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Do not panic and stop all further communication with the caller immediately.
• Contact your bank or UPI app provider to freeze or block transactions linked to the fraud.
• Report the incident to your local police station and get a written complaint registered.
• File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
• Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline for assistance and advice on next steps.
• Change all relevant passwords and monitor financial accounts closely for further suspicious activity.
• Consider placing a fraud alert or blocking your Aadhaar linkage temporarily if misuse is suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can police officers really call and ask me to pay fines immediately over phone or WhatsApp?
No. Official police or PAC constables do not demand instant payments through calls or messages. Legal processes involve formal notices, and payments are made through official channels, not via random UPI requests.

Q: What if I shared my OTP or Aadhaar details during such a call?
You should immediately inform your bank or payment app provider to block your accounts or transactions. Also, report the incident to the cybercrime portal and local police, as your identity might be at risk.

Q: How can I verify if a call from someone claiming to be PAC is real?
Do not trust caller ID blindly, as numbers can be spoofed. Hang up and call your nearest police station directly using verified contact details to confirm any ongoing investigation.

Check every suspicious message or call at BharatSecure.app to know what risks they carry. If you suspect fraud, report it 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.