Indian Government Employees Targeted by 8th Pay Commission Cyber Fraud
Analysis based on 9 articles · First reported Feb 14, 2026 · Last updated Feb 23, 2026
This cyber fraud event highlights the ongoing risks of social engineering and malware, particularly for large employee groups. It underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and user education to protect financial data.
The India===Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit under the India===Interior ministry, has issued a warning about a cyber fraud campaign targeting central government employees in India. Scammers are exploiting interest in the proposed 8th Pay Commission by circulating malicious APK files via Meta Platforms===WhatsApp. These files, disguised as salary calculators, contain malware that grants remote access to victims' phones, allowing fraudsters to steal banking data, intercept OTPs, and execute unauthorized transactions. The scam capitalizes on the financial significance of pay revisions for over one crore central government employees and pensioners. Authorities advise employees to rely only on official government platforms for information and to exercise caution with unverified links.
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