Man Duped of ₹1.95 Lakh via Fake ‘PM Kisan’ App

Rapid Summary

• A 30-year-old man from Yousufguda lost ₹1.95 lakh after installing a malicious app disguised as the ‘PM Kisan’ app via a WhatsApp message on July 28.
• The victim’s phone malfunctioned post-installation, leading to overheating, battery drain, and unexpected shutdowns. Fraudulent withdrawals of ₹1.95 lakh were made from his bank account shortly thereafter.
• The hacker also hijacked the victim’s WhatsApp account, sending suspicious messages to his contacts.
• A formal complaint was lodged with Hyderabad Cybercrime Police; an inquiry is ongoing.
• Cybercrime authorities issued warnings about fraudulent APK files disguised as government apps and advised caution when receiving such messages.
• Officials clarified that PM-KISAN scheme communications are only through official government channels and do not operate via third-party apps or unsolicited SMS/WhatsApp messages.
• Citizens were encouraged to report cybercrimes by calling 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in.

Indian Opinion analysis
This incident underscores persistent cyber vulnerabilities in India, partly due to increasing reliance on smartphones and digital platforms for accessing services like welfare schemes. While programs like PM-KISAN have been transformative for rural advancement, their misuse by fraudsters highlights gaps in public awareness and digital literacy regarding cybersecurity.

The advisory issued by officials serves as an crucial reminder of safe online practices-government schemes never request unsolicited app downloads or private financial details through unverified channels.

Moving forward, systemic efforts are required at multiple levels: increased public education campaigns about identifying fake applications/emails/texts coupled with stricter enforcement against emerging cyber scams could mitigate risks before they escalate further. Enhanced collaboration between law enforcement agencies may also expedite incident investigation processes while deterring future offenders.

Read More: Published – August 07, 2025