Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Government Blocks Wingo App Over SMS Fraud
The Indian government has blocked an app called Wingo because it was being used to send fraudulent text messages without people knowing.
The app promised users small payments for doing tasks, but it was actually using their phones to send messages to millions of people every day.
The government also blocked four Telegram channels and over 50 YouTube videos that were promoting the app.
The app was pretending to be a game, but it was really helping criminals.
The government is trying to protect people from these kinds of scams.
The Indian government blocked the Wingo app for allegedly sending fraudulent SMSes from users' phones.
The app was using users as 'telecom mules' to carry out large-scale cybercrimes.
Four Telegram channels with 1.53 lakh users and over 50 YouTube videos promoting the app were also blocked.
The app claimed to be a multiplayer entertainment game but was actually a 'Telecom Mule as a Service' app.
Over 1.53 lakh users were unknowingly involved in cybercrimes, with the app sending messages to 1.53 crore people daily.
- Who
- Union Home Ministry and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- What
- Blocked the Wingo App and related Telegram channels and YouTube videos
- When
- January 30, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To prevent large-scale SMS fraud and cybercrime
- Action Taken By
- Union Home Ministry and I4C
- Reason
- Alleged SMS fraud and cybercrime
- Telegram Channels Blocked
- 4 with 1.53 lakh users
- YouTube Videos Blocked
- Over 50
- App's Claimed Purpose
- Multiplayer entertainment game
- Actual Function
- Telecom Mule as a Service
- Daily Messages Sent
- 1.53 crore
- Users Involved
- Over 1.53 lakh