# Kerala Police warn of fake hospital apps stealing OTPs, UPI money 2026-09-20T20:52:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Kerala Police have warned of a new financial fraud where fake mobile apps are used to target people searching on Google for outpatient appointments and contact details of leading hospitals in the state. Police said the fraud begins when victims call fake phone numbers shown in Google search results. Fraudsters posing as hospital staff then send mobile app files on WhatsApp in the name of appointment booking. Once installed, the app compromises the phone, allowing access to OTPs and triggering unauthorised UPI transactions through apps like PhonePe and Google Pay. Police noted that UPI Lite, which does not require an OTP for small payments, could be exploited for repeated fraudulent transactions under Rs 1,000. Users are urged to verify hospital numbers through official websites, never install app files from WhatsApp, and immediately contact their bank if fraud is suspected. Complaints can be filed on cyber helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in. ## Indian Opinion Analysis This scam exploits the trust users place in Google Search results, where fake listings can appear alongside legitimate ones. India's banking ombudsman framework requires users to report unauthorised transactions within three working days of receiving the statement to limit liability. For UPI Lite, the Reserve Bank of India's 2022 circular capped the wallet at Rs 2,000 per transaction, making small-value frauds harder to detect. The key defence remains user verification: cross-checking hospital numbers from official websites or verified social media pages before calling. Police advise checking transaction alerts daily and reporting any suspicious small debits immediately to the bank and on the 1930 helpline. ## Coverage - indiatoday.in Tags: cybercrime, Kerala Police, UPI, WhatsApp Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-police-warn-of-fake-hospital-apps-stealing-otps-upi-money/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-police-warn-of-fake-hospital-apps-stealing-otps-upi-money/#story-in-brief