Published Paper Details:

The rapid adoption of mobile-based financial services in India has created new opportunities for cybercriminals. Maharashtra, being one of the most digitally active states, has seen a surge in mobile app-related frauds where citizens are deceived into installing fake service applications or responding to fraudulent communications. This paper documents real cases from Maharashtra where victims lost significant funds due to fraudulent mobile apps impersonating banks and financial services. The study analyzes four detailed cases; ranging from fake bank KYC apps to trading scams; and categorizes their patterns of deception. Findings reveal that fraudsters exploit trust in banking institutions, use psychological manipulation such as urgency and fear, and leverage SMS, calls, and fake apps to execute scams. This research provides a systematic analysis of fraud patterns and concludes with strong recommendations for awareness, regulation, and institutional safeguards to mitigate such threats.