Scam Alert for Central Govt Employees How Hackers are Using the 8th Pay Commission to Steal Money:

The Indian government and cyber-security agencies have issued a major warning to millions of central government employees and pensioners regarding a new cyber scam involving the 8th Pay Commission.

Fraudsters are capitalizing on the anticipation of a salary hike to lure employees into a trap using a fake mobile application.

The Scam: "8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator"

The Bait: Cybercriminals are circulating links via WhatsApp and SMS for a fake app titled "8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator."

The Promise: The app claims to calculate the revised salaries of employees based on the potential 8th Pay Commission recommendations.

The Trap: The app is not available on official stores like Google Play. Instead, users are asked to download and "sideload" an APK file. Once installed, the app works in the background to steal sensitive data, including bank details, SMS messages, and OTPs, allowing hackers to empty the victim's bank account within minutes.

Official Warning & Advisory

Cyber Dost (Ministry of Home Affairs): The national cyber-security initiative has alerted employees that the government never sends APK files or official links via messaging platforms.

Expert Opinion: Security experts warn that sideloading unknown APK files gives the app deep access to phone permissions, making it one of the most dangerous forms of cyber fraud.

Safety Tips for Employees

Never Download APKs: Avoid any links for APK files sent via WhatsApp, email, or SMS.

Official Sources Only: All updates regarding the 8th Pay Commission are posted only on official government websites.

Report Scams: If you have been targeted, report the incident immediately to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or on the official cybercrime portal.

Immediate Action: If you have already installed the app, uninstall it immediately and consider a factory reset of your phone to remove any residual malware.