A simple request—“Can you merge this call?”—is leaving people with empty bank accounts.
Scammers are using this sneaky trick to steal OTPs and drain money within minutes. From Mumbai to Melbourne, victims are losing lakhs without even realizing the danger. It’s causing victims to lose lakhs of rupees in just minutes.
How the Scam Works
Imagine this: You get a call from someone who sounds familiar—a friend, colleague, or even a bank representative. The caller casually says that a third person is trying to reach you as well and asks you to merge the incoming call.
Seems harmless, right?
Wrong. That second call is actually an OTP (One-Time Password) verification call from your bank. The scammer, now silently listening in, captures the OTP and instantly empties your account.
Real Cases That Prove This Scam is Spreading Fast
- Mumbai, India: A schoolteacher lost ₹2.5 lakh after merging a call with a so-called “friend.”
- Melbourne, Australia: A woman lost ₹22 lakh (AUD 40,000) when a scammer posing as her bank convinced her to verify a transaction.
- Michigan, USA: The local sheriff’s office warned of fraudsters impersonating police officers to extract payments.
- Connecticut, USA: Victims reported receiving calls from fake court officials, tricking them into paying fines to avoid “legal trouble.”
Why This Scam Works So Well
- It sounds natural – Scammers act friendly and confident, often using personal details from social media.
- It happens fast – Victims don’t get a chance to think twice before merging calls.
- It bypasses security – Because the OTP is entered by the victim, banks treat it as an authorized transaction—making refunds difficult.
How to Stay Safe
- Never merge calls unless you personally know both callers.
- Be suspicious of unexpected requests to merge calls. If unsure, hang up and call back using an official number.
- Never share or approve OTPs over the phone—no matter who’s asking.
- Report suspicious calls immediately to cybercrime helplines or financial authorities.
A simple rule to remember: If someone insists on merging calls, it’s a red flag. Hang up, verify, and protect yourself from becoming the next victim.
