The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has issued an urgent public warning against a fraudulent message circulating widely on social media, falsely claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is offering ₹8,000 in cash assistance ahead of the Diwali festival. The fake messages, according to officials, are being weaponised to hijack WhatsApp and Telegram accounts and drain victims' bank accounts.

How the Scam Works

The fraudulent messages assert that all Indian citizens are eligible for the ₹8,000 benefit and embed suspicious links directing users to counterfeit websites. Once on the fake site, victims are told their mobile number has been 'selected' for the reward — but to claim it, they must first share the link with five WhatsApp groups or 20 contacts on WhatsApp or Telegram. This step is designed purely to amplify the scam's reach virally.

Users who proceed are then asked to enter their mobile number. The website subsequently displays an eight-digit 'Connection Code', instructing victims to enter it under the 'Linked Devices' option in their WhatsApp settings. 'Once the code is entered, hackers gain control of the victim's WhatsApp account,' the Cyber Crime Branch stated. The same technique is reportedly being used to compromise Telegram accounts.

The Malicious APK Stage

In a second phase, victims are persuaded to download and install malicious Android application package (.apk) files, under the pretext of receiving the reward via PhonePe or withdrawing cash. Once installed, these rogue applications can grant hackers access to SMS messages, one-time passwords (OTPs), banking applications, and all other data stored on the device — potentially enabling direct withdrawals from the victim's bank account.

Notably, .apk files distributed through unofficial links bypass the safety checks built into the Google Play Store, making them significantly more dangerous. If a device displays a 'File might be harmful' warning during a download, users are advised to cancel the process immediately.

What the Government Said

The Cyber Crime Branch clarified unequivocally that the government is not offering any ₹8,000 cash assistance through such links or messages. Citizens have been urged not to forward these messages, not to click on links from unknown sources, and never to enter any code under WhatsApp's Settings > Linked Devices at the request of an unverified source or website.

Those who have already linked an unauthorised device are advised to log it out immediately. For Telegram users, the branch recommends enabling Two-Step Verification via Settings > Privacy and Security, checking 'Active Sessions', and removing any unfamiliar devices. Users are also warned never to share their login codes with anyone.

How to Report and Seek Help

Citizens who fall victim to this fraud or discover their social media accounts have been compromised are urged to report the matter immediately by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or by filing a complaint on the official cybercrime portal. Prompt reporting, officials noted, improves the chances of account recovery and can help prevent financial loss. This warning comes at a time when festival seasons have historically seen a spike in phishing and social engineering attacks targeting digital payment users across India.