SIR OTP Scam Alert!

As India undergoes its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists across various states, cybercriminals have found a new opportunity to exploit citizens. Fraudsters are impersonating election officials and using the SIR process as a pretext to trick people into sharing OTPs, installing malicious apps, or revealing sensitive information. This emerging scam has become widespread across states including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, prompting urgent warnings from election authorities and police departments.

What Is the SIR-OTP Scam?

To understand the gravity of this scam, it is important to know how cybercriminals manipulate the public.

Fraudsters call or message voters pretending to be officials from the Election Commission of India or the Chief Electoral Officer’s office. They claim to be conducting verification under the SIR voter list revision process and instruct the citizen to share an OTP for “verification” or to install an app often named “SIR.apk”.
Once the OTP is shared or the fake app is installed, scammers gain access to banking apps, messaging services, and personal data, leading to financial loss or identity theft.

Why Scammers Are Targeting the SIR Process

This scam works because scammers manipulate trust and urgency around a genuine government initiative.

The SIR process is not widely known to many voters, especially rural citizens, first-time voters, and elderly individuals. This lack of awareness becomes a perfect entry point for fraudsters.
The scammers pressure victims by claiming their names will be removed from the voter list unless they verify immediately. People, afraid of losing their voting rights, often comply.

In reality, the official SIR process does not require OTP sharing, app installation, or any such digital verification.

Suggested Read: List of Documents Valid for SIR

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States Reporting the Scam and Official Warnings

To help people stay alerted, several states have already issued official advisories.

Authorities in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have warned citizens that scammers are exploiting SIR activities to trick individuals into sharing OTPs.
Election officials clarified that neither the Election Commission nor state CEO offices ask for OTPs, personal bank details, or app downloads for voter list revisions.
Various state police cyber cells have also alerted the public after multiple victims reported financial losses and fraudulent withdrawals.

Suggested Read: Voting Rights in India

How to Identify an SIR-Themed OTP Fraud Attempt

Knowing the red flags can help prevent becoming a victim.

Common signs you are being targeted include:

Calls or messages claiming to be from election officials asking for OTPs.
Pressure tactics such as threats of voter list deletion.
Requests to install unknown apps like “SIR.apk”.
Demands for Aadhaar numbers, bank details, or personal data.
Messages with suspicious links claiming voter list updates or verification.

Remember: the genuine SIR process does not require digital OTP verification or any app installation.

What to Do if You Receive Suspicious SIR-Related OTP Requests

If you receive a suspicious call or message, immediate action can protect your personal information and money.

Follow these steps:

Do not share any OTP, regardless of the reason given.
Do not install any app sent through messages, especially if it claims to be for verification.
Verify with official government websites or local election offices if you receive such requests.
Report suspicious numbers or messages to the national cybercrime portal or your local police cyber cell.
Change your passwords if you accidentally shared information.
Monitor your bank account for unauthorized activity.

Being proactive can prevent cybercriminals from misusing your credentials.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from SIR-Based Scams

Cyber awareness is essential, especially during government-driven initiatives.

Here are simple steps everyone should follow:

Assume that government agencies will never request OTPs for voter verification.
Never trust callers claiming to be from government departments without verification.
Inform senior citizens and digitally inexperienced family members about such scams.
Avoid clicking unknown links or downloading suspicious applications.
Always verify voter-related updates through official government platforms.

By staying cautious, you can protect yourself and others from falling into these traps.

Also Read: Register to Vote in India

How the SIR Scam Fits into Larger Cybercrime Patterns in India

This scam reflects a broader pattern of criminals exploiting public trust, government campaigns, and widespread digital adoption.
Across India, cybercriminals create scams disguised as official messages, including fake credit card upgrades, e-challan frauds, KYC updates, and government benefit verifications.
The SIR-OTP scam follows the same blueprint: use urgency, impersonation, and fear to manipulate victims into sharing sensitive data.

Conclusion

The rise of SIR-based OTP scams shows that voters must stay vigilant during electoral revision processes. While the SIR program is legitimate, fraudsters exploiting its name are not.
If anyone asks for OTPs, personal details, or app installations in the name of voter verification, consider it a red flag. With awareness and caution, you can protect your identity, your finances, and your vote.