Whenever we talk about online fraud, the first thing that comes to mind is OTP theft or a fraudulent call. But can you imagine that your bank account can be emptied without you sharing any OTP or downloading any unknown app? Cybercriminals have now devised a method called Jumped Deposit, in which they exploit your honesty and curiosity to rob you.

How does this scam work?
Imagine you suddenly receive a message on your phone that ₹5,000 has been deposited into your bank account. You are surprised, and then you receive a call or message from an unknown number saying, "Sir, the money was accidentally transferred to your account, please check."

This is where the scammer starts laying the trap. The fraudsters send you a link and ask you to click on it to check your balance or return the money. As soon as you click on the link, it takes you directly to your UPI app (like Google Pay or PhonePe). As soon as you enter your UPI PIN to check your balance, instead of ₹5,000 being returned, ₹50,000 or even more is deducted from your account.

What is the conspiracy behind this?
The cyber wings of Tamil Nadu and Cyberabad have uncovered this fraud. In this scam, the criminals use a Reversal Request. According to the rules of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), if money is accidentally transferred to someone, a request can be made to get it back.

The criminals generate a reversal request for a large amount and hide it behind a normal balance check link. They know that once the user sees the message about money being deposited into their account, they will immediately try to check their balance. As soon as you enter your PIN, you unknowingly approve the reversal request for that large amount.

How to protect yourself?

To protect yourself from this scam, keep these expert tips in mind:

If an unknown amount of money is suddenly credited to your account, there's no need to panic or act hastily.

If you receive such a message, do not open your UPI app for the next 30 minutes. This will allow the time limit for the reversal request to expire, and the link will become invalid.

Never use a link sent by someone else to check your balance. Always check your balance directly through the app.

Even if you accidentally open the app and have suspicions, do not enter your PIN.

If someone genuinely claims that the money was sent by mistake, tell them to file a complaint with their bank. Let the money be returned through the proper bank procedures.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.