A fake WhatsApp message in Airtel's name promises Rs 2,000 for Diwali. A warning says tapping its link can put your bank account at risk.
A fake WhatsApp message using Airtel's name is promising Rs 2,000 for Diwali. An Instagram user warns that tapping the link inside it can put your bank account at risk. The message comes from an unknown number, so it is easy to spot if you know what to look for.
It opens with the text "Airtel- Diwali ka Tyohaar." The sender claims to have received Rs 2,000 through a link, then urges you to tap the same link to get your own money. The pitch counts on free cash being tempting enough that you tap before you check.
The warning came from an Instagram user, @arbajahmad009, who shared a video about the message. Digit reported it on November 2.
The timing is no accident. Diwali is almost here, and brands and shopping platforms are rolling out real festive offers. Scammers use that moment to send fake rewards. WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps in India, and scammers often pose as trusted brands there.
The report does not say how many people received the message. It does not explain exactly what the link does, and it does not say whether Airtel has responded. The bank warning comes from the Instagram user, not from a technical test described in the report.
If you have not tapped the link, the main job is to stay alert. The steps in the alert box above cover what to do. The simple rule behind them is that a message promising free money is not proof of a real reward. Check festive offers through official sources before you click anything or share personal details.
Never tap a free-money link on WhatsApp, even if it carries a trusted brand's name. Check any Diwali offer through official sources first.
The Attala County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi says scam calls are reaching residents, and a call that sounds official may not be.
Read more: Mississippi sheriff warns residents about scam phone callsScammers are posing as Texas sheriff's officers and claiming you missed jury duty. Caller ID can show a real police number even when the call is fake.
Read more: Fake jury duty calls spoof a real Texas sheriff's phone numberFake PayPal emails and texts, some posing as a security report, try to get you to tap a link and type your login. Checking your account directly avoids the trap.
Read more: Got a fake PayPal message? Skip its link and check your account yourself
