States » SouthPosted at: Sep 21 2026 8:03AM


Police warn against fake APK scam targeting hospital appointment seekers

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 21 (UNI) Police have warned the public against a financial fraud in which cybercriminals target people searching online for hospital appointment and contact details and trick them into installing malicious Android application package (APK) files.
The fraudsters reportedly display fake hospital contact numbers in Google search results and, when people call those numbers, pose as hospital employees. They then send APK files through WhatsApp, purportedly for booking hospital appointments or providing related services.
Installing such applications can compromise mobile phones and expose sensitive information, including OTPs and UPI-related details, potentially enabling fraudsters to carry out unauthorised financial transactions, police said.
The malicious applications can also be used to misuse UPI applications such as PhonePe and Google Pay already installed on the device and may enable other payment applications to be installed without the user's knowledge.
Police cautioned that users should not ignore a series of unauthorised transactions involving small amounts. In particular, phones with UPI Lite enabled could be vulnerable to repeated small-value transactions, as certain transactions within the prescribed limit may not require a separate OTP.
People searching for hospital contact details should verify phone numbers through the hospital's official website or verified social media accounts rather than relying solely on numbers displayed in Google search results.
Police also advised the public never to install APK files received through WhatsApp for hospital appointment booking, KYC verification, refunds or similar purposes.
Applications should be downloaded only from trusted platforms such as the Google Play Store. Users should also avoid granting unfamiliar applications access to SMS, notifications, contacts or phone-related functions.
Anyone who suspects that a malicious APK has been installed should immediately disconnect the device from the internet and contact their bank or UPI service provider to secure their accounts.
Victims of financial fraud should immediately report the incident by calling the cybercrime helpline 1930 or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in, police said.
UNI DS
Tags: #Police warn against fake APK scam targeting hospital appointment seekers
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