Older adults and senior citizens are heavily targeted by cybercriminals who exploit trust, authority, fear, and unfamiliarity with rapidly evolving digital interfaces. Fraudulent schemes targeting this demographic often involve direct phone contact, aggressive pressure, and substantial financial losses.

• Tech-Support and Remote Access Scams: Alarming browser pop-ups or phone calls claiming a computer is infected with viruses, directing the victim to grant remote access and pay for fake diagnostic software. Learn more about Remote Access Scams.
• Impersonation and “Digital Arrest” Scams: Criminals posing as law enforcement officers, police, central investigative agencies, tax authorities, or judges. They intimidate victims through video calls with false allegations of money laundering or narcotics, threatening immediate “digital arrest” unless money is transferred to “verification” accounts. Review Bank Impersonation Scams, Spoof Calls and Fake Caller IDs, and Scam Calls and Spam Calls.
• Government, Tax, and Pension Rebates: Deceptive messages claiming unclaimed refunds, pension bonuses, or utility rebates that require sharing banking credentials or paying an upfront fee. See Unexpected Money & Tax Refund Scams and Scam Text Messages.
• Family Emergency and Romance Scams: Deceptive messages claiming a child or grandchild has lost their phone and urgently needs money for a bill or legal trouble (such as the “Hi Mum/Dad” scam), or prolonged emotional manipulation by online suitors. Explore Scam Text Messages and Social Media Scams.
• Charity and Healthcare Fraud: Fabricated humanitarian appeals and fraudulent healthcare supplements targeting seniors. Review Charity Scams.
• Banking and Payment Card Fraud: Unauthorised debits and deceptive callers requesting one-time passcodes under the guise of account protection. See Credit Card Fraud.

• Recognize That “Digital Arrest” Is Fake: Law enforcement agencies, police, tax departments, and courts never arrest individuals over video calls, demand immediate wire transfers, or require payments via UPI, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Hang up immediately.
• Never Grant Remote Access: Do not allow unexpected callers or pop-up prompts to install remote management software (such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer) on your device.
• Ignore Infection Pop-Ups: Pop-up alerts warning of viruses with a phone number to call are fraudulent. Close the browser window or restart your device.
• Consult Family Before Transferring Funds: Always pause and discuss unexpected requests for money, investment opportunities, or legal crises with trusted family members or friends.
• Establish Family Code Words: Use a simple family verification word or call back on the original known number when receiving messages claiming to be a child or grandchild with a new phone.
• Use Call Screening and Spam Protection: Enable carrier call-filtering features and let unknown callers go to voicemail.

• Aggressive callers who shout, threaten arrest, or demand that you stay on a video call while visiting a bank.
• Requests for payment through unusual channels like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or immediate wire transfers to personal accounts.
• Anyone instructing you to keep a transaction secret from your family, bank branch staff, or friends.
• Demands for your bank PIN, password, or one-time security codes over the phone or SMS.