According to the advisory released by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a wing of the MHA, digital fraudsters have been circulating messages, particularly on WhatsApp, claiming that employees can check their "revised salary" by downloading an APK file.

'Salary Calculator' Scam

The "Salary Calculator" scam has come to the fore at a time when millions of staff and pensioners have been eagerly waiting for pay revisions. Sources say digital fraudsters have been cashing in on this uncertainty, using it as a "bait" to defraud government employees.  

According to officials, online fraudsters gain access to mobile phones through malicious files, compromising sensitive personal and financial data. The advisory made it clear that the government does not send APK files through WhatsApp.

The authorities have also urged government employees to verify information and updates related to salary, pension, or the pay commission only through official government portals, stressing the need for vigilance.

Modus Operandi

The online scammers initially target the government employees through a WhatsApp message, claiming that the revised salary under the 8th CPC could now be checked. The message usually contains an attachment, often an APK file that reads “8th CPC Salary Calculator” or “Salary Revision Tool”.

However, once the file is downloaded and installed, it gives online fraudsters remote access to the user’s mobile phone, allowing them to install a malicious app to access personal data and banking details, read SMS and OTPs, and even carry out unauthorised financial transactions without the knowledge of the individual concerned.

According to cyber experts, such scams tend to rise during major government announcements, financial reforms, or policy changes. With growing public interest in the 8th CPC, cybercriminals are using the buzz to exploit people’s trust and create a sense of urgency. Authorities have urged employees to remain alert, and investigations have been underway.