Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Scammers Hijack Phones Using USSD Codes
Scammers are tricking people into dialing special USSD codes by pretending to be delivery agents.
These codes secretly forward all calls to the scammers' phones, including important bank verification calls.
The victims often don't realize they've been scammed until they notice they're not receiving important calls.
To protect yourself, never dial codes given by unknown callers, check your call forwarding settings regularly, and use official apps for managing your phone settings.
The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to suspend USSD-based call forwarding, but the scam persists due to incomplete enforcement and technical gaps.
Scammers impersonate delivery agents to trick victims into dialing USSD codes.
These codes forward all incoming calls to the scammers' phones, including bank OTPs.
Victims often don't realize they've been scammed until they notice a drop in incoming calls.
To protect yourself, never dial codes given by unknown callers and check your call forwarding settings regularly.
The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to suspend USSD-based call forwarding, but the scam persists.
- Who
- Cybercriminals impersonating delivery agents.
- What
- Scammers use USSD codes to hijack phone calls.
- When
- The scam is ongoing, with recent observations by the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit.
- Where
- India, targeting frequent users of online delivery services.
- Why
- To divert important calls, including bank OTPs and verification calls, to the scammers' numbers.
- USSD Codes
- Special sequences of numbers, asterisks, and hashes used to interact with telecom services.
- Commonly Misused Codes
- *21*#, *401*#, *61*#, *67*#
- Early Warning Signs
- Sudden drop in incoming calls, not receiving OTPs, unexpected call forwarding indicators.
- Immediate Actions
- Dial ##002# to cancel call forwarding, check settings, change passwords.
- LBW Rule
- Law Enforcement, Bank, Wipe.
- DoT Directive
- Suspend USSD-based call forwarding from April 15, 2024.
