TL;DR: Scam activity ticks up around Republic Day (Jan 26) and Independence Day (Aug 15) each year. Check any government scheme announcement only on the relevant ministry's official website, and be skeptical of any 'special holiday' cashback that requires entering bank details to claim.
Scam activity ticks up around Republic Day (Jan 26) and Independence Day (Aug 15) each year.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fake 'government scheme' messages claiming a special holiday cashback or subsidy circulate on WhatsApp, directing users to a phishing page that asks for Aadhaar and bank details, while fraudulent flag or merchandise sellers take payment and never ship.
How to Protect Yourself
Check any government scheme announcement only on the relevant ministry's official website, and be skeptical of any 'special holiday' cashback that requires entering bank details to claim.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Wedding Season Scams in India.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Year-End Bonus and Payroll Phishing (India).
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Scam activity ticks up around Republic Day (Jan 26) and Independence Day (Aug 15) each year.
What tactics are used?
Fake 'government scheme' messages claiming a special holiday cashback or subsidy circulate on WhatsApp, directing users to a phishing page that asks for Aadhaar and bank details, while fraudulent flag or merchandise sellers take payment and never ship.
How can I protect myself?
Check any government scheme announcement only on the relevant ministry's official website, and be skeptical of any 'special holiday' cashback that requires entering bank details to claim.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.