Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed digital payments in India, making money transfers instant, seamless, and accessible to millions. However, as UPI adoption grows, cybercriminals are also evolving their tactics. While most people are familiar with frauds involving fake calls, phishing links, or OTP requests, a new and far more deceptive scam is emerging that does not rely on any of these traditional methods.
Known as the ‘Jumped Deposit’ scam, this fraud can drain your bank account without asking for an OTP, without installing any malware, and without even making a suspicious phone call. What makes it particularly dangerous is that it exploits the trust users place in legitimate UPI processes.
What Is the ‘Jumped Deposit’ Scam
In this scam, cybercriminals first transfer money into a victim’s bank account using UPI. The amount is usually significant, often ₹5,000 or more, to avoid suspicion and make the transaction appear genuine. Shortly after, the victim receives a call or message stating that the money was transferred by mistake and requesting that it be returned.
At this stage, the claim appears completely legitimate because the money has actually been credited to the account. Most users instinctively open their UPI app to check the balance or confirm the transaction. This moment of verification is exactly where the scam unfolds.
How Money Is Stolen When You Check Your Balance
When the victim opens the UPI app and enters their UPI PIN to check the balance or transaction details, the fraudster simultaneously initiates a transaction reversal request for a much larger amount. Due to the way some UPI apps and banks handle real-time authorization, the user’s PIN entry unknowingly authorizes the reversal.
As a result, instead of returning ₹5,000, the account may lose ₹50,000 or more in a matter of seconds. By the time the user realizes what has happened, the money has already been transferred out.
In some cases, the fraudsters also send a link along with the message, which redirects the user to their UPI app or a lookalike interface, increasing the chances of an accidental authorization.
Why This Scam Is Especially Dangerous
What makes the ‘Jumped Deposit’ scam particularly alarming is that it does not involve any of the usual red flags associated with digital fraud.
No OTP is requested
No malicious app is installed
No screen sharing or remote access is involved
The transaction appears legitimate and traceable
The scam abuses the UPI transaction reversal mechanism, which exists to help users recover funds sent to the wrong account. Cybercriminals exploit the limited time window during which reversal requests can be initiated.
This method was first identified by the Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing, and similar incidents have since been reported in other parts of the country, highlighting its rapid spread.
What to Do If You Receive an Unknown UPI Credit
If you ever receive money from an unknown source via UPI, do not panic and do not act in haste. The safest response is to do nothing immediately.
Experts recommend the following steps:
Do not open your UPI app for at least 30 minutes
Avoid checking your balance or transaction history during this period
If the app opens accidentally, intentionally enter the wrong UPI PIN
Do not click on any links received via SMS or messaging apps
Contact your bank’s official customer support or visit a branch
Request a reversal only through official bank or NPCI channels
The 30-minute delay is crucial because it allows the reversal request window to expire, preventing fraudsters from misusing the process.
Awareness Is Your Strongest Defense
UPI is a powerful and convenient payment system, but convenience should never come at the cost of caution. Cybercriminals are now exploiting not technical loopholes alone, but human behavior, urgency, and trust in familiar processes.
Always remember: banks and UPI platforms will never ask you to rush, panic, or enter your PIN to “fix” a mistake. When in doubt, slow down and follow official procedures.
A few minutes of patience can save you from substantial financial loss. In the digital payments era, awareness is not optional, it is essential.
