Don't reply 'NO' to fake WhatsApp debit alerts, Hyderabad police chief warns
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Hyderabad police chief V.C. Sajjanar warned on 12 October 2026 that replying 'NO' to fake WhatsApp debit alerts can lead to money being stolen.
What Happened
On Monday, 12 October 2026, Hyderabad Commissioner of Police V.C. Sajjanar warned people about a WhatsApp fraud that starts with a fake bank alert and ends with a one-word reply. In a video posted on X, he said a person's bank account could be drained simply for answering "NO" to such a message. The messages come from unknown or international numbers, claim that money has been debited from the recipient's account, and then ask the person to reply "NO" if they did not make the transaction. Police described the method as an "auto-execution file attack" and urged the public not to respond at all.
Key Facts
- The warning came from Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on 12 October 2026, through a video on X.
- The fraud opens with a WhatsApp text, often from an unknown or foreign number, saying an amount has been debited from the recipient's bank account.
- A second message asks the person to type "NO" if they did not authorise the payment.
- Police say hidden links or malicious scripts may be set off when the person replies, and call it an "auto-execution file attack".
- Sajjanar pointed to a victim who did not share an OTP or click any suspicious link, and only typed "NO".
- A chartered accountant in Lucknow has been reported to have lost about Rs 1.70 lakh after replying "No" to a fake alert about a Rs 90,000 debit; that case is under investigation.
- Victims are asked to call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Why It Matters
Most young Indians get bank alerts, UPI notifications and delivery updates on the same phone they use for chats with friends. A sudden message saying that thousands of rupees have left your account is designed to cause panic, and panic is exactly what fraudsters want. The instinct to reply quickly, to say "that wasn't me", feels harmless. The police warning is that even this small reaction can be the opening the scammer needs.
It is worth being clear about what is known and what is not. The police account says the reply triggers hidden code. Legal commentators have pointed out that receiving or answering a message does not by itself prove how money was taken, and that a forensic check is needed in each case. Whether the loss comes from malware, a linked device, a cloned session or a follow-up call that tricks the victim, the safe response is the same: do not engage with the message at all.
The warning also fits a pattern. Hyderabad police have in recent months flagged other WhatsApp tricks, including fake offers of free money and the hijacking of accounts through device linking. October is observed as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and police in several states have used it to put out fresh advisories. Fraudsters keep changing the script, but the core move stays the same: create urgency, then get the target to act.
| Real alert vs fake alert | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Who sends it | Banks send alerts from registered sender IDs, not random or foreign WhatsApp numbers |
| What it asks | A genuine alert informs you; a fake one asks you to reply, click or call |
| How to check | Open your bank's official app or call the number printed on your card |
| What to do if money goes | Call 1930 at once or report at cybercrime.gov.in |
Impact
Short-term: People in Hyderabad and across India are being told not to answer any unexpected debit message on WhatsApp, and to check their balance only through official banking channels. Those who already replied should watch their accounts closely and report anything unusual without delay.
Long-term: If police and forensic teams confirm how this method works, banks and messaging platforms may face pressure to tighten safeguards around alerts and replies. For users, the lesson is a habit, not a single rule: treat every unexpected money message as suspect until you check it yourself.
Who is affected: Anyone with a bank account and a WhatsApp number, especially students and first-time earners who manage money on their phones, and older family members who may be more easily alarmed by a large debit claim.
Key Takeaway
If a WhatsApp message says money has left your account and asks you to reply "NO", do not answer it; check with your bank through its own app or helpline and report fraud on 1930.
Questions and Answers
What is the "reply NO" WhatsApp scam?
It is a fraud in which a person receives a WhatsApp message, usually from an unknown or foreign number, falsely claiming money was debited from their bank account and asking them to reply "NO" if they did not make the payment. Hyderabad police say replying can trigger hidden code that helps fraudsters take money.
Is it proven that just typing "NO" can empty a bank account?
Not independently. Hyderabad police describe it as an "auto-execution file attack", but legal commentators note that each loss needs forensic examination to show exactly how the money was taken. Either way, police advise not replying at all.
How can I tell whether a debit alert is real?
Do not rely on the message. Open your bank's official app or net banking, or call the customer care number printed on your card or on the bank's website, and check your recent transactions there.
What should I do if I have already replied or lost money?
Act fast. Call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in, inform your bank so it can block further transactions, and keep screenshots of the messages as evidence.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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