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There are only a few days left for the new year. With this, congratulations have started pouring in on social media. But amidst all this, an alert has been issued by the cyber cell, which can save you from becoming a pauper on the New Year.
Now in just a few days people will say goodbye to 2025 and welcome the new year 2026. There is happiness in the beginning of the new year but this is an opportunity for cyber fraudsters to cheat people. These days, dangerous scam messages are going viral on WhatsApp in the name of New Year greetings. Cyber cell has issued a warning regarding this.
Many users are receiving messages from unknown numbers in which an app or link to send New Year cards has been given. But this is not a greeting, but an APK file full of malware. If you open it, then the new year can be very bad for you. As soon as you open this one message, your phone can be hacked and money can be stolen from your bank account.
Scam started
Tirunelveli District Police of Tamil Nadu has recently issued a warning about such fake New Year greeting apps. According to the police, scammers send messages saying “Send special New Year cards to your friends and relatives” and attach a link or APK file. As soon as the user clicks or downloads it, the malware enters the phone. This malware steals personal data, banking information and gives access to fraudsters. In many cases, bank accounts become empty within minutes. This scam is not new, but a new version of old fake messages like traffic challan, wedding invite or bank alert. Even in 2025, many such cases have come to light where phones have been hacked through APK files. Cyber crime experts say that APK file is the format for installing Android apps, but malware is hidden in the files coming from third party sources. Once installed, it can read OTP, control banking apps and even forward the same message to your contacts.
How does this scam work?
Scammers send you messages from unknown or fake numbers. A message like “Happy New Year! Download this app to send special greeting cards” will appear on your phone. The attachment contains an APK file, such as NewYearGreeting.apk or Happy2026.apk. As soon as you download it, malware will be installed in the background, which records your screen, steals SMS-OTP and gives control to the fraudsters. Cyber police have advised people not to click links or download files in any unknown message. Install apps only from Google Play Store. Also keep two-step verification on on WhatsApp. By doing this you can avoid scams. If the APK is installed by mistake, immediately factory reset the phone and alert the bank. After this, file a complaint on cyber crime (1930 or cybercrime.gov.in).
