Archive · 18 Aug 2026
New UPI QR Code Scam Drains Bank Accounts in India
Bad people in India are using tricky QR codes to steal money.
A QR code is that little square pattern you scan with your phone.
When people scan the good ones, they can pay for things easily.
But these bad QR codes are fake and dangerous.
Scanning one can give bad people control of your phone very quickly.
They can connect your bank account to their own devices without asking you.
Then they can take money out of your bank account.
This is happening to people who use buses, trains, and other places around India.
Even people who are careful can still be tricked.
You should only scan QR codes from people and places you trust.
A sophisticated UPI scam is targeting commuters and users across India through rogue QR codes.
Android users who scan the rogue QR codes have their bank accounts linked to remote devices without consent.
The scam is described as a 'technical exploit' that can take over a device within minutes.
Victims' bank accounts can be drained as a result of the exploit.
A journalist on X shared his sister's experience, saying scammers attempted to target her despite her vigilance.
- Who
- Android users and commuters across India; a journalist's sister was targeted by the scammers.
- What
- A UPI scam involving rogue QR codes that links victims' bank accounts to remote devices and drains the accounts.
- When
- Not specified in the articles.
- Where
- Across India.
- Why
- To deceive users into linking their bank accounts to scammers' devices so funds can be stolen.
- Target
- Android users and commuters across India
- Method
- Scanning rogue QR codes
- Exploit type
- Technical exploit taking over devices within minutes
- Impact
- Bank accounts linked to remote devices and drained
- Reported by
- A journalist on X sharing his sister's experience
- Scope
- Users across India