Are UPI Transactions Really Chargeable? Understanding UPI Charges and Payment Scams
Introduction
For most of us, UPI is part of daily routine: scan a QR code for chai, send money to family, split a bill, or pay a shopkeeper in seconds. That convenience is exactly why a message saying “UPI charges are coming” can cause confusion. Scammers can use that uncertainty through fake calls, WhatsApp messages, payment links, or edited screenshots. This blog keeps the topic simple: what MDR means, which UPI payments remain free, how scammers misuse the word “fee”, and what a reader should do when a payment request does not look right.
News in Focus: Why the “UPI Charge” Headline Needs Context
On 15 September 2026, the Ministry of Finance clarified the revised UPI framework. From 15 October 2026, a 0.4% MDR will apply to specified P2M transactions above ₹2,000, subject to the published conditions and caps. P2P transfers remain free, payments to merchants up to ₹2,000 remain free, and the government states that MDR is an ecosystem charge, not a customer fee. Banks are to ensure it is not passed on to customers. [1]
So, What Does This Mean for an Everyday User?
The important distinction is between a legitimate MDR rule and a scammer’s request for money. A message saying “pay ₹99 to release your UPI transaction” is not made genuine by mentioning NPCI, a bank, a government notice, or a news report.
A Related Cyber-Fraud Headline: Do Not Mix Two Different Issues
The supplied newspaper clipping discusses a separate cyber-fraud issue involving suspicious transactions and bank accounts linked to cybercrime. It is useful context, but it should not be read as proof that ordinary UPI users must pay a special “verification” or “release” fee. Separating the two issues helps prevent panic and misinformation.
Where Scammers Use the Confusion
“Pay a small fee to receive money”
A simple red flag is the demand for an upfront fee: “Your refund is ready, pay a processing fee first.” NPCI warns that scanning a QR code and entering a UPI PIN is for making a payment, not for receiving money or cashback. [2]
Fake payment success screens
Another common trick targets merchants: a fraudster shows a convincing “Payment Successful” screenshot and collects goods before the seller checks the account. In August 2026, Delhi Police reported a case involving allegedly fake or manipulated Paytm/UPI screenshots, followed by an attempt to gain access to victims’ mobile phones. [3] In September, police in Jharsuguda and Basti reported similar fake-confirmation cases; the Basti case involved a fabricated SBI YONO screenshot. [4][5]
“Your UPI is blocked because of new charges”
Scammers also borrow the language of genuine policy announcements. The caller creates urgency, claims your account is restricted, and asks you to install an app, share an OTP, approve a collect request, or transfer a small amount “for verification”. A real headline does not make an unexpected payment request genuine.
The Five-Second UPI Safety Check
Puse Before You Pay
WHO is asking? WHAT exactly are they asking you to do? WHERE did the payment request appear? WHEN did the request arrive? WHY would you need to pay to receive money? Verify the transaction in your own bank or UPI app. Merchants should not rely on a screenshot shown by a customer. Customers should not treat a QR code, collect request, or incoming message as proof that they are “receiving” money. Read the final authorisation screen before entering the UPI PIN. NPCI says users should never share the PIN and that bank customer support will not ask for it. [6]
If You Think You Have Been Scammed
- Stop engaging with the suspected caller, account, or chat. Do not send another payment to “fix” the first one.
- Contact your bank or the relevant payment app using an official support channel and report the transaction.
- For financial cyber fraud in India, call 1930 as soon as possible and report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The official portal identifies 1930 as the helpline for immediate reporting of financial cyber fraud. [7]
- Keep the transaction ID, screenshots, phone numbers, messages, and dates. Do not delete useful evidence.
Conclusion
The safest way to understand the UPI charge discussion is to slow the headline down. Yes, a revised MDR framework has been announced for certain merchant transactions above ₹2,000 from 15 October 2026. But that does not make a P2P transfer subject to a “release fee”, and it does not make an unsolicited ₹49, ₹99, or ₹199 demand legitimate. Check the transaction type, confirm where the charge sits, verify the payment in your own app or bank account, and never disclose your UPI PIN. Digital safety is not about fearing every payment; it is about recognising when someone asks you to leave the normal payment process.
Remember
UPI convenience should never require blind trust. Verify the sender, verify the screen, verify the transaction.
References
[1] Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Finance, “UPI Continues to Remain Free for Peer to Peer Transactions and 96% of Merchant Transactions,” 15 September 2026. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2310586
[2] National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), “Fraud Awareness,” current guidance on fake cashback links, QR codes and UPI PIN safety. https://www.npci.org.in/fraud-awareness
[3] Hindustan Times / PTI, “Delhi Police arrest man in ₹30.81 lakh cyber fraud involving fake UPI payments,” 26 August 2026. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-police-arrest-man-in-rs-30-81-lakh-cyber-fraud-involving-fake-upi-payments-101787734051785.html
[4] The Times of India, “Two held for fake UPI payment fraud in Jharsuguda,” 11 September 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/two-held-for-fake-upi-payment-fraud-in-jharsuguda/articleshow/134072823.cms
[5] The Times of India, “Basti: 2 held for fake UPI payment scam,” 13 September 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/134154561.cms
[6] NPCI, “UPI - Frequently Asked Questions,” UPI PIN and transaction-confirmation guidance. https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/faqs
[7] Government of India, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, financial cyber fraud reporting guidance and helpline 1930. https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/
[8] Moneycontrol, “Don't trust the screenshot: How to spot a fake UPI payment,” 6 August 2026. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/personal-finance/don-t-trust-the-screenshot-how-to-spot-a-fake-upi-payment-13996275.html
Image note: Both visuals were supplied by the requester. Figure 1 was cross-checked against the Ministry of Finance/PIB clarification cited in Reference [1].
Related Blogs
Introduction
The year, 2022 has been a year of transition and change for the gaming industry. This year esports and gaming including the industry’s greater increased acceptance by the sports authorities and higher prize pools for top players, has been more commercial than ever, according to research by the year 2025 the industry will witness growth by 5 million dollars and around 420 million active gamers from India. Since, India is on the way to become world’s largest gaming market, with revenue earned in 2021 increasing by up to 28%, or 1.2 billion dollars, and predicted to reach 2 billion dollars by 2024 as a result of the COVID-19 expanding internet access throughout the country.
After a lengthy debate, the government has finally decided to bring online gaming under the purview of the law. The President of India has changed the rules governing e-sports and requested that the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) include e-sports in multi-sport competitions. India’s gaming sector has reached new heights this year, with the country winning its first bronze medal in the first esports event organized by this year’s Commonwealth Games, and this is only the beginning.
Indian government takes on E-sports
The Indian government has given esports a huge boost. It has been introduced into the traditional sports disciplines of the nation. Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, changed the regulations governing eSports using the authority “conferred by clause (3) of Article 77 of the Constitution,” and requested that “e-Sports be included as part of multi-sports events” from the Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology and Sports. Some crucial points will clarify the government’s position on e-sports.
- E-sports were added as a demonstration sport to the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, which meant that medals earned in the sport were not counted in the official total of medals.
- There is a greater desire for Esports to be integrated with school curricula.
- E-Sports (Electronic Sports) have been acknowledged by the Indian government as a component of multi-sport tournaments.
Why is e-sports important?
The Indian Esports Industry has worked hard to distinguish Esports from the broader category of “Gaming.” Esports is a competitive sport in which esports athletes compete in specific video game genres in a virtual, electronic environment using their physical and mental prowess, according to the industry.
According to studies, as individuals have gotten more screen aware and online gaming has become a part of their life, internet gaming not only improves fine motor skills but also sharpens the mind. The industry has the most users and stakeholders, and it has become critical to governing it; consequently, legislation is required to regulate it.
The online regulation bill 2022
The Online Gaming (Regulations) Bill, 2022, was recently filed in the Lok Sabha to create an effective regulatory mechanism for the online gaming business to prevent fraud and misuse of things related to or incidental to it. There are 20 sections spread throughout three chapters. It intends to establish an Online Gaming Commission, the authority, mandate, and jurisdiction of which will be specified by the Bill. An online gaming server will be licensed, relinquished, revoked, or suspended by the Commission’s key highlights of the bill to make it more clear
- The Bill establishes a regulating agency, the Online Gaming Commission (“OGC”), comprised of five members chosen by the Central Government, each with at least one specialist in the fields of law, cyber technology, and law enforcement experience.
- The OGC will be able to oversee the functions of online gaming websites, issue periodic or special reports on Online Gaming issues, recommend appropriate measures to control and curb illegal Online Gaming, grant, suspend, and revoke licenses for online gaming websites, and set fees for license applications and renewals.
- Without a website and a non-transferable and non-assignable license, the Bill proposes to make online gambling illegal. Anyone operating an online gaming server or website without a license risks up to three years in prison and a fine. The permission will be good for a six-year term.
- The license intended to be given under the Bill may be terminated or canceled if the licensee violates any of the license’s requirements or any of Bill’s provisions. However, the Bill does not apply to anybody providing backend services in India, including hosting and maintenance for any international gaming website situated outside of India.
- The bill also mentions the Foreign Direct Investment and Technology Collaboration in Online Gaming
Few misses in the bill that can be addressed to make it stronger and a better version
- The law does not address Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, customer complaint procedures, advertising and marketing restrictions, user data protection, responsible gaming guidelines, and other concerns.
- In the bill, there is no clear distinction between money involved in the game. This is a matter of concern and needs to be addressed so the money laundering aspect can be determined.
- The distinction between “games of chance” and “games of skill” is not addressed in the Bill. Furthermore, the Bill does not specify whether its prohibitions apply only to for-real-money games or to free games.
Conclusion
Despite the bill’s flaws, it has offered optimism to the burgeoning gaming sector, which desperately needs a robust regulatory and legal framework free of ambiguity, allowing players to play safely, and encouraging entrepreneurs to enter the field with safety and security. An improved regulatory framework will increase job prospects while also assisting the government. A transparent framework will also aid in the protection of the rights of actors and stakeholders.
Executive Summary
An image circulating on social media claims to show Suryakumar Yadav, captain of the Indian cricket team, extending his hand to greet Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha, who allegedly refused the gesture during the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match held on February 15. Users shared the image as evidence of a real incident from the high-profile clash. However, a research by CyberPeace found that the image is AI-generated and was falsely circulated to mislead viewers.
Claim
On February 15, an X account named “@iffiViews,” reportedly operated from Pakistan, shared the image claiming it was taken during the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The viral image appeared to show Yadav attempting to shake hands with Agha, who seemed to decline the gesture. The post quickly gained significant traction online, attracting around one million views at the time of reporting. Here is the link and archive link to the post, along with a screenshot.
- https://x.com/iffiViews/status/2023024665770484206?s=20
- https://archive.ph/xvtBs
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the image, researchers closely examined the visual and identified a watermark associated with an AI image-generation tool. This raised strong indications that the image was digitally created and did not depict an actual event.
The image was further analysed using an AI detection tool, which indicated a 99.9 percent probability that the content was artificially generated or manipulated.
Researchers also conducted keyword searches to check whether the two captains had exchanged a handshake during the match. The search revealed media reports confirming that the traditional handshake between players has been discontinued since the Asia Cup 2025 in both men’s and women’s cricket. A report published by The Times of India on February 15 confirmed that no such customary exchange took place during the match between the two teams in Colombo.
Conclusion
The viral image claiming to show Suryakumar Yadav attempting to shake hands with Salman Ali Agha is not authentic. The visual is AI-generated and has been shared online with misleading claims.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing soldiers carrying coffins with full military honours. Users are claiming that the footage shows the bodies of American soldiers who were killed in the war with Iran being brought back to the United States.
However, research by the CyberPeacefound the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the video has no connection to the recent Iran-Israel conflict. The footage actually dates back to December 2025, when an Islamic State gunman in Syria killed two US soldiers and a US civilian.
Following that incident, the bodies of the victims were transported with military honours, and the ceremony was recorded in the viral video. The clip is now being circulated online with a false claim.
Claim
On March 1, 2026, an Instagram user shared the viral video claiming that it shows the bodies of American soldiers returning to the US after being killed in the war against Iran. The caption of the post reads: “Bodies of American soldiers martyred against Iran are returning to the United States. War always brings destruction, which we are now witnessing.”
The link to the post and its archived version can be seen below.
Fact check
To verify the claim, we extracted key frames from the viral video and performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found the full version of the video in a report published by BBC on December 18, 2025. This confirms that the footage predates the current developments.
According to the BBC report, US President Donald Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony for two members of the US National Guard and a US civilian who were killed in Syria. The somber ceremony took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, United States. The US Central Command (Centcom) stated that the two soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush carried out by an Islamic State (IS) gunman in Syria. The US Army identified the two soldiers as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar (25) of Des Moines and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard (29) of Marshalltown. A US civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat, was also killed in the attack. Officials said that three other service members were injured during the attack, and the gunman was engaged and killed. Syria’s state media also reported that two Syrian security personnel were injured in the incident.
Further research led us to a report published on the News Nation YouTube channel on December 18, 2025, which also featured the same footage related to the incident.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not related to the recent Iran-Israel conflict. The footage dates back to December 2025, when two US soldiers and a US civilian were killed in an Islamic State attack in Syria. The video shows the dignified transfer of their remains and is now being shared on social media with a misleading claim.
