Watch out for a new scam hitting India that could empty your bank account with just a phone call. It's tied to the SIR process – that's Special Intensive Revision – which is an official process by the Election Commission where they update the voter list in person. Crooks are tricking folks by acting like they're election workers and calling about SIR verification.
Modus operandi: How the scam works
The scammers ring people up, saying their voter info needs a fast update to avoid being removed from the list under the S.I.R. They push people to give them one-time passwords (OTPs) or download a bogus app, saying it's for verification. Once people share those OTPs or put in the app, the scammers are quick to grab cash from bank accounts or UPI wallets. They scare people with fake warnings about losing their vote to make them do what they say.
What the Election Commission says
The real S.I.R thing is all done in person. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) go to homes or offices. They’ll have ID badges to get and check voter info. The Election Commission never asks for OTPs or online form downloads by phone.
Do this to stay safe
If you get calls like this, just hang up. Don't ever share OTPs or download apps you don't know. If you get caught in the scam, tell your bank and the cybercrime police ASAP. Knowing about this and acting fast can save your money.
The SIR scam shows how easily crooks can mess with processes we trust. These scams are getting slicker, so you gotta be extra careful. Knowing how voter lists really get checked and spotting scam signs can save you money and stress. Tell your friends and stay sharp - scammers win when we're clueless. Fighting online crime starts with knowing what's up.
