Hyderabad: Cybercriminals have adopted a new route of fraud under the name of “refund cashback,” using APK files to drain bank accounts. Police said nearly 80 percent of complaints received at cybercrime stations in recent months were related to such scams.
According to the International Monetary Fund, India stands first globally in UPI transactions, with monthly volumes exceeding ₹1,800 crore. Reports also noted that the country accounts for 50 percent of all real-time digital payments worldwide. Officials said this massive volume had made India a prime target for fraudsters.
Repeated warnings on UPI frauds
Explaining a scam known as “jump deposit,” the Cyber Security Bureau said fraudsters send users a money request disguised as a credit message. Once the user enters a UPI PIN to check balance, the amount gets transferred to the fraudsters’ account. Several complaints of such incidents have already been lodged.
Authorities stressed the importance of the “golden hour” in cybercrime reporting. Victims were advised to immediately call helpline 1930 to freeze suspicious accounts before money is siphoned off.
Refund cashback scam linked to jump deposit fraud
The National Cybercrime unit found that about 70 percent of such frauds originate from Cambodia, followed by Dubai and China. Criminal groups abroad were reportedly circulating malicious APK files, hacking phones, and running scams through fake trading and loan apps. Police said the newly emerging “jump deposit” scheme is part of the same network and urged people to remain cautious.
