Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' / PhonePe 'UPI Circle' Feature

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team ·

Verdict: Suspicious | Risk Score: 5/10 | Severity: medium

Category: phishing

How Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' / PhonePe 'UPI Circle' Feature Works

Scammers are promoting a non-existent feature called 'Pocket Money' on Google Pay and 'UPI Circle' on PhonePe. This is a deceptive tactic to trick users into believing these are legitimate new functionalities within the payment apps.

How This Scam Works — Detailed Explanation

Scammers targeting Indian users have recently resorted to promoting fake features like 'Pocket Money' on Google Pay and 'UPI Circle' on PhonePe. These scams typically begin with unsolicited messages shared via popular platforms such as WhatsApp, social media, or even SMS. Victims often receive texts that reference a new feature, creating curiosity and prompting them to learn more. Many users, especially those who are not tech-savvy, may be more prone to engage simply because the message appears to come from a trustworthy source. Often, the messages contain logos or other identifiers associated with these well-known payment platforms, further establishing a false sense of legitimacy.

To entice potential victims, scammers utilize a variety of psychological tactics. They may create a sense of urgency or exclusivity, claiming that only a limited number of users can access these new features. Alternatively, they might suggest that existing users need to activate them to avoid losing benefits or to gain additional rewards. Scammers play on the emotions of trust and fear, leveraging the high volume of digital transactions in India, where apps like Google Pay and PhonePe are integral to daily financial activities. By making their schemes appear as official communications, they increase the likelihood that users will click on links or provide sensitive information, such as personal identification or UPI PINs.

Once victims fall for this tactic, the process often unfolds in a series of alarming steps. After clicking on a link provided by the scammers, victims are redirected to a counterfeit website that mirrors the official Google Pay or PhonePe page. Here, they are prompted to enter personal data, including their Aadhaar number or banking details. Unsuspecting users may think they are verifying their accounts or setting up a new feature. Upon providing this information, their data is swiftly captured by scammers who can then access their accounts. Real-life instances have highlighted losses amounting to several crores in India due to similar tactics, where victims have reported losing upwards of ₹5 crore to such scams in recent months alone. This alarming trend has put the Ministry of Home Affairs and Reserve Bank of India under pressure to sharpen cybersecurity measures.

The impact of these scams is extensive and devastating. As more fraudulent messages circulate, financial losses continue to accumulate. Statistics indicate that thousands of citizens have fallen prey to these scams, with victims losing an average of ₹10,000 each in a single incident, which can lead to financial ruin especially for low-income groups. Moreover, these scams contribute to rising distrust in digital payment systems, hampering the growth of secure financial technologies that the Indian government is striving to implement. Organizations like CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team of India) have issued advisories on the rise of such scams and continue to encourage users to remain vigilant while using digital services.

Identifying these scams versus legitimate communications can be tricky. For starters, official communications from Google Pay or PhonePe will never ask users to input sensitive information through unsolicited messages or links. A key red flag is the tone and language of the communication; official messages usually maintain a formal structure and standard messaging patterns. Scammers tend to employ manipulative, emotionally charged language to prompt immediate action. Additionally, users should verify such notifications with known customer service numbers or the official websites of the apps before responding or clicking on any links. Regular users should also stay updated on official app release notes and changes to remain equipped with accurate, trustworthy information.

Visual Intelligence:

BharatSecure's AI has identified this as a used in scams targeting Indian users.

Who Does Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' / PhonePe 'UPI Circle' Feature Target?

General public across India

Red Flags — How to Identify Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' / PhonePe 'UPI Circle' Feature

  • Google Pay
  • PhonePe
  • Pocket Money
  • UPI Circle
  • fake feature
  • payment app scam

What To Do If You Encounter Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' / PhonePe 'UPI Circle' Feature

  1. Report the scam to cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 to alert authorities.
  2. Contact your bank's helpline immediately if you suspect your information has been compromised.
  3. Set up two-factor authentication on your payment apps for added security.
  4. Avoid sharing your UPI PIN or sensitive information over messages or calls.
  5. Regularly update your payment apps to the latest versions to protect against vulnerabilities.
  6. Educate family and friends about this scam to prevent them from falling victim.

How to Report Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' / PhonePe 'UPI Circle' Feature in India

  • Call 1930 — National Cyber Crime Helpline (24x7)
  • File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
  • Contact your bank immediately if money was lost
  • Call RBI helpline: 14440 for banking fraud

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if I shared my OTP in a phishing scam?
Immediately contact your bank's customer service, like SBI at 1800-11-1109 or HDFC at 1800-202-6161, and request to block your account.
How can I identify the Fake Google Pay 'Pocket Money' or PhonePe 'UPI Circle' features?
If you receive communication about these features, check the official app or website. No such features currently exist.
How do I report this type of scam in India?
You can report at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint and prevent further incidents.
What steps should I take to recover money or protect accounts after this scam?
Contact your bank to block any compromised accounts, change passwords immediately, and monitor transactions closely for suspicious activity.

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