Central government employees, pensioners targeted in new cyber scam
A new scam is making the rounds on WhatsApp, targeting Central government employees and pensioners with fake "Salary Calculator" apps.
These apps claim to show your revised salary under the 8th Central Pay Commission, which is reviewing pay and is expected to affect over 50 lakh employees and around 60 lakh pensioners.
How to stay safe from these scams
Scammers send APK files named things like "8th CPC Salary Calculator," promising quick salary updates.
But if you install them, they can steal your personal info, banking details, and even OTPs for unauthorized transactions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs's Cyber Dost team put out an alert on February 14, 2026: don't download APKs from WhatsApp or SMS, always double-check info through the official MyGov portal, and never share OTPs or banking details.
If you spot a suspicious app, uninstall it right away and report it to the cybercrime helpline. Investigations are still ongoing.