Auto & Tech

UPI Scams in India

In the last few years, Digital payments in India have seen massive growth and one of the major reasons behind this is UPI or Unified Payments Interface which was introduced in 2016. According to the latest report from NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India), in October 2022, UPI processed 7.3 billion transactions which amount to Rs 12.11 trillion which shows that majority of the Indian population has adapted these UPI payment apps as their primary method of payment. There is no doubt that these UPI payment apps have made it more convenient, especially for hassle-free online payments but on the negative side, it has also led to an increase in the number of cybercrimes and online frauds. Aniket Pande from BlazeTechnica lists some of the most commonly done UPI scams and how you can avoid these to stay safe.

OLX Payment Scam:

OLX is one of the most popular marketplaces when it comes to buying and selling used products at an affordable price, but since the platform allows its users to create an anonymous ID while dealing with buyers and sellers, it leads to a lot of online fraud and hence it is very important to stay cautious while making a deal. Now here’s how to identify such suspicious people on this platform, usually, there might be some product listed which is offered at an extremely low price, but the seller asks for a complete advance payment or a partial payment for shipping the product. In most cases, these are scammers who will just run away with your money and one should avoid making a deal with such people.

Another way of scamming on OLX is impersonation and here’s how it works, if you are selling something on OLX you may encounter someone who pretends to be an army officer and may even share a fake picture of an ID card with you just to gain your trust, he will agree to your product deal and will insist for an advance online payment from his side for the product you are selling, this might sound very convincing. But, here’s how these scammers try to rob money, the scammer will share a QR code and will convince you to scan the code and enter the UPI pin to receive the amount, in most cases people who are well aware of how UPI transactions work also fall for this trap and end up transferring the amount to the scammer’s bank account and lose their money.

How to avoid this: To avoid getting robbed by such scammers, it is very important to understand how the UPI transaction actually works, a user needs to enter the UPI pin and scan the QR code only while sending the money, for receiving money there is no such requirement in any case.

WhatsApp Scam:

Scammers continuously try to find new ways to steal money, recently a lot of people reported how they got scammed through a phone call. In this scenario you may get a phone call from an unknown number and the person might pretend that he is from your network company and this call is regarding fixing network issues on your smartphone and will ask you to dial *401* and a secret number along with this on your phone, this secret number is nothing but the scammer’s phone number and *401* will enable call forwarding on your phone which will divert all your phone calls to the scammer’s phone. Now through this, the scammer will log in to your WhatsApp account getting all your contact access and will text your contacts asking for money through UPI by sharing his QR code.

How to avoid this: It is extremely important to be very cautious while receiving calls from such unknown people who ask to dial any number or install any app on your phone and make sure you are well aware of the number which enables call forwarding on your network carrier, also never click on any suspicious link which you receive as a text message on WhatsApp or any other social media platforms.

In case if anyone has already got scammed through a UPI payment these are the steps which need to be taken-

Inform your bank and the payment company regarding the fraud and raise a complaint
File an FIR at your local police station
Raise a complaint with NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
Write to the Digital Payments ombudsman regarding the fraud which happened

Conclusion: It is always important to be aware and cautious about online scams and frauds. Ensure to not click on any suspicious links or forwards, and do not give out personal information. If you have fallen into a scam, ensure to inform officials and police, to help you out.

November 25, 2022

Startups Cleaning Ganga: Where Tech Meets Sacred Duty

The Ganga is not just a river. She is a living goddess, a lifeline of civilization, a poetic symbol of purity, and paradoxically, a carrier of pollution. For centuries, her waters have cleansed the souls of pilgrims, nurtured fertile lands, and fed spiritual imaginations. But in modern India, the Ganga is choked by waste, neglect, and unfulfilled promises. Now, in an era where startups are disrupting everything from food delivery to fintech, a new generation of entrepreneurs is turning its gaze towards a nobler mission: cleaning the sacred river. DHANUSH KUMAR writes about the startups working towards restoring the Ganga’s glory. The Ganga’s Crisis Stretching over 2,500 kilometres, the Ganga flows through five states and supports more than 400 million people. Yet she is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Industrial waste, untreated sewage, plastic, and religious offerings wrapped in non-biodegradable materials have contaminated sections of the river, rendering it a toxic drain. Despite massive government initiatives like the Namami Gange program, results have often lagged behind expectations. The reason? Bureaucratic red tape, fragmented accountability, and a lack of grassroots innovation. But where systems struggle, startups often thrive. And they are doing so with intelligence, grit, and heart. Enter The Startups: Young Minds, Ancient Cause 1. HelpUsGreen: Turning Temple Waste into Wealth Based in Kanpur, HelpUsGreen is collecting tons of floral waste from temples and converting it into organic incense sticks, compost, and biodegradable products. Rather than letting pesticide-laden flowers rot in the river, they are transformed into eco-friendly products through a process the founders call flower cycling. Over 11,000kg of waste is diverted from the Ganga daily, and employment opportunities are created for rural women. This is innovation rooted in reverence. 2.JalTara: Water Purification Meets AI Using AI and IoT, JalTara monitors water quality in real

Auto & Tech

10 Easy Ways to Spot a Scam Before It’s Too Late

Scams can hurt the victim financially, emotionally, and sometimes, even physically. Unfortunately, scams are rapidly becoming a major problem, with some common types including employment scams, tech support scams, cryptocurrency scams, and UPI scams in India. The good news is that you can identify a scam before scammers cash in. In this blog, we will explain ten easy ways to spot a scam before it’s too late: 1. Scammers ask for your personal information Be suspicious if someone asks you for your personal information, like bank account details. Scammers often reach in disguise as your banker, healthcare provider, or a government entity. So, be cautious when someone requests highly sensitive personal information. Also, note that genuine and legitimate entities rarely ask for your personal information, such as passwords and Social Security numbers, via phone, SMS, or email. 2.Create urgency or an emergency Scammers try to lure you into making decisions in a rush by using phrases like “do now,” ‘hurry up, “” limited now,” etc. For example, they may warn that if you don’t act now, you will lose your prize winnings. These days, fraud cases like “your relatives in another country or city need money immediately” are also common. So, be cautious if someone or something prompts immediate action. 3.Contact about a lottery you don’t know Lottery scams are also common. Winning a lottery for a big prize brings huge excitement, and for scammers, it’s easy to turn this joy into financial loss. So, it’s important to learn how to spot scams by using legit lottery websites in India, particularly if you’re used to playing lotteries. Don’t forget to verify the source and protect your personal information. 4.Ask to keep it secret This is because they don’t want to face or answer the questions of friends and family who

Auto & Tech

Cool Cars under Rs 10 Lakhs That Are Perfect for Indian Roads

Looking for a car that doesn’t just get you from A to B, but also turns heads while doing it? Whether you are weaving through crowded city lanes or cruising on weekend getaways, India’s sub Rs 10 lakh segment now offers cars that are stylish, rugged, and surprisingly feature-packed. Think of these not just as vehicles, but as lifestyle statements. Dhanush Kumar brings a curated list of five cool cars under Rs 10 lakhs that effortlessly blend function with flair, ideal for young, urban drivers who want more than just mileage. 1. Tata Punch If bold had a shape, it would look like the Tata Punch. With SUV-inspired styling, high ground clearance, and a tough body, it’s built for the urban jungle and the hills beyond. Despite its compact size, it feels surprisingly spacious. Highlight: 5-Star Global NCAP safety rating. Perfect for: City explorers and first-time car owners Starts At: Rs 7 lakh 2. Maruti Suzuki Fronx The Fronx is Maruti’s answer to those who want a bit of SUV, a bit of hatchback, and a whole lot of attitude. With a futuristic design and smooth driving experience, it’s turning heads on every street. Highlight: LED DRLs, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Perfect For: Urbanites with a flair for the new Starts At: Rs 7 Lakh 3. Hyundai Exter Think of the Exter as the younger, sassier cousin of Hyundai’s SUV lineup. With its quirky design, sunroof, and multiple drive modes, it’s made for Gen Z who love to stand out and stay connected. Highlight: Built-in dashcam, voice-enabled features Perfect for: Style-forward tech lovers Starts At: Rs 6.21 lakh 4. Tata Tiago EV Affordable EVs are finally here, and the Tata Tiago EV leads the charge. With zero emissions, low running costs, and a peppy design, it’s India’s most accessible electric

Auto & Tech

The Best AI Tools In The World Right Now

Artificial intelligence has become a game changer in every aspect of life. From work to wellness, creativity to convenience, AI tools are transforming how we live, work, and interact with technology. But with so many options out there, which AI tools truly stand out? Dhanush Kumar curates a list of the most innovative AI tools in 2025 that are redefining modern lifestyles. 1.ChatGPT OpenAI’s ChatGPT continues to revolutionize communication, content creation, and learning. Whether you need assistance with writing, brainstorming, coding, or even personal development, this AI-powered assistant is an invaluable tool. Best for : Productivity, Writing, Research, and Conversation. 2.Midjourney Midjourney is leading the AI-generated art movement, allowing users to create stunning visuals with just a text prompt. It’s an incredible tool for lifestyle influencer, marketers, and anyone seeking artistic inspiration. Best for: Digital artists, designers, and creative professionals. 3.Grammarly Perfecting grammar, clarity, and style has never been easier. Grammarly’s AI-driven writing assistant offers real-time suggestions, making it an essential tool for emails, essays, and professional documents. Best for: Writers, Professionals, and Students. 4.Notion AI Notion AI takes organization to the next level. With AI-powered features like automated summaries, tasks suggestions, and smart notes, it’s ideal for anyone looking to streamline their workflow. Best for: Productivity, project management, and collaboration. 5. DALL E 3 Need high quality visuals for a blog, website, or social media? DALL E 3 by Open AI generates hyper-realistic images based on simple descriptions, making it a go-to AI tool for visual content creators. Best for : Marketing, branding, and creative projects. 6. Runway ML Runway ML offers next-level AI-driven video editing, helping creators produce stunning visual effects, remove backgrounds, and even generate entire scenes. Best for: Content Creators, filmmakers, and Social media influencers. 7. Perplexity AI Think of Perplexity AI as Google’s smarter sibling.