Someone on Instagram, Telegram or WhatsApp has offered you money just to “use” your bank account for a few days – and it sounds too easy.
In short
- This is the bank account on rent scam. Criminals use your account to move money stolen from other people.
- Your account becomes a “mule account”. When victims complain, the trail leads to you, not the scammer.
- Result: a frozen account, police questions and possible legal trouble – for a few thousand rupees.
- Never rent, sell or lend your bank account, UPI, debit card, net banking login or SIM card.
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In this post
What the offer looks like
The offer is usually dressed up as a part-time job or a “business” favour. You are told that a company needs extra accounts to receive payments, and you keep a small cut.
Example (fake)
Hi! Earn ₹15,000 per week from home. Our gaming company needs savings accounts for payments. You keep 3% commission. Send account number, net banking login and your SIM by courier. – Rahul, FastPay HR (Telegram)
Some versions ask you to open a new account and hand over the full “kit” – passbook, cheque book, debit card and the SIM linked to the account. Others only ask for your login and OTPs.
How the scam works
Scam victims across India are told to pay money into an account – for a fake investment, a fake job fee or a fake “fine”. That account is yours. The money stays there only for a moment before the gang moves it on. When the victim reports the fraud, banks and police trace the first account that received the money.
In October 2024, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) warned that overseas gangs were using mule or rented bank accounts to run illegal payment gateways. These collected money from fake investment sites, betting and gambling sites and fake stock trading platforms.
Why it is not “easy money”
- Your account can be frozen. Indian Overseas Bank described a real case where a customer rented his account for ₹5,000 and it was frozen within about 48 hours.
- You can face legal trouble. The I4C alert says money from crime landing in such accounts can get the account holder into legal trouble, including arrest.
- “I didn’t know” may not protect you. Bank of India warns customers that renting out an account can lead to criminal charges, even if you were unaware of what it was used for.
- It hurts real people. Every rupee that passes through your account was taken from someone like you.
Warning signs
- Money for “using” your account, with vague words like “business transaction” or “payment processing”.
- Requests for your net banking login, UPI PIN, OTPs, debit card or SIM card.
- A “job” with no interview, no office and no real work – only your account.
- Pressure to stay quiet or to open a new account just for them.
- Contact only through Telegram, Instagram or WhatsApp, often from a new number.
Never send your SIM card to anyone. A SIM gives control over the OTPs for your bank. You can also check how many SIM cards are registered in your name.
Already shared your account? Do this now
- Stop. Do not move any money that arrives, and do not share any more details.
- Call your bank on the number printed on your passbook, debit card or official website. Ask them to block net banking, UPI and your debit card, and tell them what happened.
- Change your passwords and UPI PIN, and take back any SIM or card you can.
- Report it on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in. Share who contacted you, their number or username, and screenshots of the chats.
- If your account is frozen, deal only with your bank branch and the police. Ignore anyone who offers to “unfreeze” it for a fee. Read what happens after a cyber crime complaint.
- If the police contact you, consider speaking to a lawyer.
Report it
Lost money or spotted a fraud? Call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) or report at cybercrime.gov.in. Report quickly – the sooner you report, the better the chance of stopping the money.
Related: UPI fraud refund process: RBI rules · Loan app harassment: what to do
Not sure about a message?
Before you reply to a “commission job” or “payment partner” message, run it through the free ScamRead checker. Use it as a second opinion – never as a reason to share your account. Open the checker →