This morning, I received a call from an unknown number. The person on the other end told me that my Khalti Mobile Wallet had been rewarded a bonus of Rs 3500. All I had to do, they said, was forward a message to another number to claim the reward.
As a tech guy, I immediately knew this was a scam.
The caller spoke in a very convincing tone, almost like they were from an official support team. After the call, I received a message with a strange-looking code:
KH/H8e+6JiqQZEJ+BERS7Eg34int+rPWRl+3hwkJijSp2A=To someone unfamiliar with these tactics, it might look like a promo code or some secure wallet confirmation. But from my experience, I could tell this was not what it seemed. This kind of message is part of a bigger scam that’s making the rounds—now not just through SMS, but also via direct calls.
These scams work by playing with your trust and curiosity. Getting a call makes it feel more “real,” and being told you’ve won money can be exciting. But here’s the truth:
- There’s no Rs 3500 bonus.
- Khalti is not calling you.
- Forwarding that message can get you and others into trouble.
These messages and calls are usually meant to:
- Trick you into forwarding data that helps scammers verify or activate fake accounts (like WhatsApp, Khalti, etc.)
- Log your number as an “active” one for future scam attempts
- Spread malware or harmful links to more people
Why You Should Be Concerned
It might seem harmless to just forward a message or follow a caller’s instructions, but that one small step can lead to:
- Your number is being misused
- Getting more scam calls or messages in the future
- Becoming part of a bigger scam chain
Scammers rely on people acting quickly without thinking. That’s why they often say things like “this offer will expire soon” or “you need to do this right now.”
What You Should Do
If you ever receive such a call or message:
- Hang up immediately. Don’t engage.
- Don’t forward anything you don’t understand or trust.
- Block the number that contacted you.
- Report it to Khalti’s official support or your mobile operator.
- Warn your friends and family, especially those who might be more vulnerable to such tricks.
We live in a digital age where scams are getting more clever every day. What used to come as shady emails now arrives through SMS and phone calls in our language, with local numbers.
Stay alert, think twice, and trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And remember — legit companies will never ask you to forward random messages or call unknown numbers to claim a reward.
Stay safe, and keep others informed too.
Update: Upon examination, the code was found to be used for password reset.
