Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud

How Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud Works

Overview: Scammers are increasingly targeting Indian companies by creating fake online portals that mimic legitimate supplier or vendor management systems. Unsuspecting employees are lured into these clones, where their login credentials are harvested. These details are then exploited by fraudsters to authorise fraudulent transfers, often through SWIFT for high-value transactions or via NEFT/RTGS domestically. The scam threatens both large corporates and e-commerce exporters in India. How It Works: 1. The victim receives an email, SMS, or WhatsApp message with a link to what appears to be a trusted vendor portal—often designed to look like SAP, Oracle, or other enterprise platforms. 2. They are instructed to log in for 'invoice approval' or 'urgent supplier update.' 3. The credential entries are captured; the fraudster now has access to the real portal and can initiate or approve payments to overseas accounts. 4. Funds are quickly diverted, often using the SWIFT network for export-related business. India Angle: This scam is on the rise nationwide, especially in booming business district[ADDRESS_REDACTED]ement tools. Indian exporters and IT firms are a prime target, with communications sometimes in Hindi, English, or regional languages. There’s an increased connection to UPI and FASTag ecosystems, using SMS and WhatsApp to spread malicious links. Real Examples: - An IT firm's accounts team received a WhatsApp message urging immediate login to a portal that perfectly resembled their SAP dashboard, leading to a ₹15 lakh fraudulent transfer. - An e-commerce startup in Hyderabad faced a fake 'payment approval' portal after an urgent SMS from someone posing as their supplier. Red Flags: - Unexpected messages urging you to login to a 'secure' portal via unknown links. - Website URLs that are slightly misspelled or use .net/.info domains instead of .com/.in. - HTTPS padlock present but security certificate invalid or mismatched. - Requests to confirm payment via SWIFT outside regular processes. Protective Measures: - Always access vendor portals via official bookmarks, not unfamiliar links. - Never enter credentials on a website reached through an unsolicited email or SMS. - Double-check the website URL for authenticity and SSL certificate details. - Train employees to verify suspicious messages through direct calls to your supplier. If Victimised: - Contact your IT/security team to reset credentials immediately. - Report to the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930), cybercrime.gov.in, and your bank. - Monitor recent transactions for unauthorised activity. Related Scams: - Payroll portal phishing (targeting salary payments). - Procurement order fraud via fake order management portals.

Visual Intelligence:

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

Who Does Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud Target?

General public across India

Red Flags — How to Identify Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud

• Strange or unexpected portal login requests
• Unfamiliar website URLs or slight spelling changes
• HTTPS present but 'not secure' or invalid certificate
• Requests for urgent invoice/payment approval outside normal process

What To Do If You Encounter Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud

1. Do not click any links or share personal information
2. Block and report the sender immediately
3. Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930
4. Inform your bank if financial details were shared

How to Report Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud 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 is Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud?

Overview: Scammers are increasingly targeting Indian companies by creating fake online portals that mimic legitimate supplier or vendor management systems. Unsuspecting employees are lured into these clones, where their login credentials are harvested. These details are then exploited by fraudsters to authorise fraudulent transfers, often through SWIFT for high-value transactions or via NEFT/RTGS domestically. The scam threatens both large corporates and e-commerce exporters in India. How It Wo

How does Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud work?

Overview: Scammers are increasingly targeting Indian companies by creating fake online portals that mimic legitimate supplier or vendor management systems. Unsuspecting employees are lured into these clones, where their login credentials are harvested. These details are then exploited by fraudsters to authorise fraudulent transfers, often through SWIFT for high-value transactions or via NEFT/RTGS

How to protect yourself from Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud?

Do not click any links or share personal information Block and report the sender immediately Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 Inform your bank if financial details were shared

How to report Vendor Portal Phishing Fraud in India?

Report to cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline). You can also contact your local police station's cyber cell.

Verify Any Suspicious Message

Check any suspicious message, link, or call for free at bharatsecure.app. BharatSecure uses AI to detect scams in real-time and protect Indian users.