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Scams & Fraud · URGENCY: HIGH

OLX / Marketplace & QR-Code Payment Fraud

Short answer

On buy/sell marketplaces, scammers (often posing as “army/CRPF personnel on transfer”) send a QR code or a UPI “collect request”, claiming it will pay you — but scanning a QR or approving a request DEBITS you. You never scan a QR or approve a UPI request to receive money. If you were debited, call 1930 and report on cybercrime.gov.in.

Written & reviewed by Rupesh Mittal, Cyber Lawyer & Criminal Advocate · Last reviewed 30 August 2026

Whether you’re buying or selling, the trick exploits a simple confusion: UPI QR codes and “collect” requests are for paying, not receiving. Scammers use military ID cards and urgency to rush you into approving a debit while you think you’re getting paid.

What to do now

  1. Never scan a QR code or approve a UPI PIN to receive money — that only sends money.
  2. Stop the deal if there’s any QR/collect-request “to pay you”, and preserve the chat and listing.
  3. If you were debited, call 1930 and report on cybercrime.gov.in.

What to do now

  1. 01

    Don’t approve anything

    Refuse to scan a QR code or approve a UPI request that’s supposedly “paying” you. Cancel any pending collect request.

  2. 02

    Preserve evidence

    Keep the listing, chat, the “buyer/seller” profile, the QR code / request screenshots and any transaction references.

  3. 03

    Report fast

    If money was debited, call 1930 and file on cybercrime.gov.in with the beneficiary and transaction details.

    National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
  4. 04

    Deal safely

    Prefer cash on delivery / in-person for local deals, be wary of “armed-forces, urgent transfer” stories, and never pay an advance to a seller you can’t verify.

Red flags

  • A “buyer” who wants to pay immediately via QR / UPI request before seeing the item
  • An “army/CRPF officer on transfer” story with a canteen or ID-card photo
  • Being asked to scan a QR or enter your UPI PIN “to receive” the payment
  • A seller demanding full advance payment for an item that never ships

Documents to keep available

  • The marketplace listing and chat history
  • The “buyer/seller” profile, name and phone number
  • Screenshots of the QR code / UPI collect request
  • Transaction IDs / UTR and the beneficiary details, if debited

Requirements may vary by case and authority.

What not to do

  • Do not scan a QR code or approve a UPI request to “receive” money.
  • Do not pay an advance to an unverified seller.
  • Do not trust an “armed-forces / urgent posting” story or ID-card photo.

Frequently asked questions

The buyer sent a QR code to pay me — should I scan it?

No. Scanning a QR code or entering your UPI PIN sends money from your account; it can never receive money. To be paid you only share your UPI ID. A QR/request “to pay you” is always a scam.

They showed an army ID and said it’s urgent — is that safer?

No — the “armed-forces personnel on urgent transfer” story is one of the most common marketplace-scam scripts. Treat the urgency and the ID photo as red flags.

Official resources

National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalMoney Restoration Portal (MRM-NCRP)

When professional assistance may be appropriate

Where an issue significantly affects your legal position, banking access, livelihood or business, or involves a notice, investigation or multiple jurisdictions, consider advice from an appropriate qualified professional.

Relevant professional types: Cyber crime lawyer

Need help with this issue?

Sources: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) · I4C / MHA cyber-safety advisories

Last reviewed: 30 August 2026. This independent guide is general information, not legal advice, and does not control official investigations or processes.