The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has warned about scams using fake social media advertisements impersonating Chief Ministers and other public figures. Fraudsters promote fake government welfare schemes and cashback offers to extract money through advance fees and fraudulent UPI transactions.
Key Highlights
I4C warns of impersonation scams involving fake advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.
Fraudsters use manipulated videos and deepfakes of political leaders to promote fake welfare schemes.
Victims are tricked into paying registration fees, taxes and processing charges or approving fraudulent UPI transactions.
Report cyber fraud immediately by calling 1930 or visiting the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
I4C Warns Against Fake Government Scheme and Cashback Scams
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued an advisory warning citizens about a rise in Chief Minister impersonation scams and fake government welfare scheme advertisements on social media. The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) issued the advisory dated October 19, 2026, highlighting fraudulent advertisements that impersonate the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Ministers and other public figures.
According to the advisory, scammers use manipulated videos and deepfake content on Facebook and Instagram to make false promises of financial assistance under government welfare schemes. Some advertisements also promote fake cashback rewards through scratch cards and spin-and-win contests, enticing users to share personal information or follow instructions that eventually lead to financial losses.
How Fraudsters Use Fake Welfare Schemes to Steal Money
The fraud typically begins with a social media advertisement featuring a political leader who appears to endorse a welfare scheme or cashback offer. Interested users are directed to fraudulent websites, phone numbers or WhatsApp accounts to claim the promised benefits. Some victims are contacted through international numbers, including numbers beginning with +92, which the advisory identifies as a warning sign requiring extreme caution.
Fraudsters then demand advance payments under the pretext of taxes, registration charges, verification fees or processing costs. In cashback scams, victims may be redirected to payment applications and persuaded to approve UPI collect requests or enter their UPI PINs. Instead of receiving money, they unknowingly authorise payments to fraudsters, sometimes suffering multiple financial losses.
I4C Advises Citizens to Verify Schemes and Payment Requests
The advisory urges citizens to verify welfare schemes through the official website of the relevant government department before sharing information or making payments. People should confirm the identity of anyone claiming to represent a government department through official channels and remain cautious of videos or voice recordings featuring public officials.
Citizens should never disclose their Aadhaar details, PAN information, bank credentials, OTPs or UPI PINs to unknown persons. They should carefully review UPI requests and remember that a UPI PIN authorises a payment; it is not required to receive money. The advisory also warns people to exercise particular caution if public figures or their offices contact them from +92 numbers.
The I4C advisory highlights the growing risk of online fraud involving fake government schemes, political impersonation and cashback offers. Citizens should verify claims through official sources and immediately report suspected cyber fraud by calling 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in.
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