Mumbai, December 30: As New Year 2026 celebrations approach, the Telangana Police have issued a high-priority advisory warning citizens against a surge in cyber scams. Authorities have identified a trend in which fraudsters use festive greetings to trick users into clicking malicious links. These “greeting scams” are designed to compromise personal data, gain access to banking credentials, or install malware on smartphones and computers.

What Is the New Year Greeting Scam?

The Happy New Year 2026 wishes scam typically begins with a message received via WhatsApp, SMS, or social media platforms. These messages often contain a link disguised as a digital New Year greeting, a lucky draw, or a festive gift offer. However, the Telangana Police, Punjab Police, Bengaluru Police, among other authorities, have issued a high alert urging people to beware of such scams. Happy New Year 2026 Wishes and Greetings: Beware of Scams With HD Images and Fake Links With HNY WhatsApp Messages.

Telangana Police Warning Against Happy New year 2026 Wishes Scam

Bengalore Police Warns of New Year Greeting Scam

Punjab Police Warning of Greeting Scam on New Year 2026

According to the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB), once a user clicks the link, they may be redirected to a website that appears legitimate but is designed to harvest sensitive information. In some cases, clicking the link triggers an automatic download of a “malicious file” (APK) that allows hackers to gain remote access to the victim’s device.

Happy New Year 2026 Wishes Scam: How to Stay Safe? Check Guidelines Issued by Police

To prevent financial loss and data breaches, the Telangana Police have shared a set of safety protocols on their official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram handles. Citizens are advised to:

  • Avoid Unverified Links: Do not click on links sent by unknown numbers, even if the preview shows a festive image.

  • Verify the Sender: Fraudsters often impersonate friends or family members using stolen profile pictures.

  • Check URL Authenticity: Be wary of shortened URLs (like bit.ly or tinyurl) or websites that do not start with "https://".

  • Avoid Third-Party Downloads: Never install apps or files sent directly through chat platforms.

How to Report Happy New Year 2026 Wishes Scam?

Authorities are urging anyone who falls victim to these scams or notices suspicious activity to report it immediately. Victims can dial the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or register a complaint on the official portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in.

The police emphasised that “golden hour” reporting, filing a complaint within the first two hours of a fraudulent transaction, significantly increases the chances of freezing the funds before the scammers can withdraw them.

Background: The Rise in Seasonal Scams

Cybercriminals frequently exploit high-traffic festive periods, such as Diwali, Christmas, and the New Year, to launch phishing attacks. The high volume of genuine digital greetings sent during these times provides a convenient cover for malicious links.

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The Telangana Police continue to conduct awareness campaigns through “Cyber Sanjivanis” and digital reels to educate the public about evolving tactics used by digital fraudsters.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2025 02:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).