‘Jump Deposit Scam’ alert: Unknown transfers, empty accounts - Bengaluru Police issue warning

Money sent from unknown numbers may look harmless, but police warn it is a new digital trap that can wipe out bank accounts within minutes.

Bengaluru Police have issued a public alert about a new and dangerous digital fraud known as the “Jump Deposit Scam”, urging citizens to remain cautious after multiple complaints of bank accounts being emptied within minutes.

According to police, the scam begins when money is credited from an unknown mobile number into a victim’s bank account or UPI-linked app. The amount is usually small at first, often around ₹2,000, followed by another transfer of ₹4,000, creating a false sense of safety and confusion for the account holder.

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The real fraud happens later. Police say scammers send a hidden or pending request earlier. When the victim tries to check the account balance using PhonePe, Google Pay or similar apps, they unknowingly enter their UPI PIN, which allows the fraudster to immediately drain the account.

In many reported cases, users realised the scam only after seeing their entire balance wiped out moments after checking their account.

What Bengaluru Police Advise

Police have issued clear instructions to avoid falling prey to this scam:

•    If money is received from an unknown number, do not open PhonePe, Google Pay or any UPI app for 20-30 minutes.
•    If balance checking is unavoidable, enter an incorrect UPI PIN first to cancel any hidden request.
•    In case of suspicion or financial loss, immediately call the cybercrime helpline 1930.

Officials stress that citizens should never panic or rush when unknown deposits appear and must treat such transactions as suspicious.