Fake Loan App Fraud
Avoid unknown loan apps seeking contacts, gallery or screen access.
What is this fraud?
An illegal or impersonating loan app takes fees/data, imposes undisclosed charges or uses harassment and extortion.
How does it happen?
The app requests excessive phone permissions, disburses an unexpected small amount or collects advance fees, then threatens the borrower and contacts family/friends.
Warning signs
APK sent by link; loan before proper verification; access to contacts/photos; advance fee; unclear lender identity; very short repayment period and abusive collection.
How to stay safe
Verify that the app is connected to an RBI-regulated bank/NBFC, read the Key Fact Statement and deny unnecessary permissions. Avoid apps received through messages.
If you are a victim
Do not surrender to threats. Preserve the app, permissions, chats and transaction records; inform the bank, report at cybercrime.gov.in and contact police if threatened.
Evidence to preserve
Keep transaction IDs or UTRs, bank messages, screenshots, chats, emails, phone numbers, profiles, URLs, app details, and the exact date and time. Preserve original files without editing or deleting them.
Official reporting
For financial cyber fraud, call 1930 immediately, notify your bank or payment provider, and file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ↗. General technical advisories are available from CERT-In ↗.