In a major development that should concern every digital user in the country, India’s premier technical intelligence agency—the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO)—has identified a staggering 1,172 phishing domains operating in just the first half of 2025. These websites, many of which impersonated well-known Indian banks, utility services, telecom providers, and even government portals, were designed to trick users into handing over their most sensitive information.

This revelation is not just another cyber report in the news cycle. It’s a clear warning that as India’s digital economy booms, so does the risk. Let’s break down what this means, how these scams work, and more importantly—how you can protect yourself and your business.

What Are Phishing Domains and Why Are They So Dangerous?

Phishing domains are fraudulent websites built to mimic real ones. They’re designed to be indistinguishable at a glance from trusted portals like your bank’s login page, your mobile provider’s bill payment gateway, or even a government site for Aadhaar or income tax.

Here’s what makes them dangerous:

They use slightly tweaked URLs (like sbii.in instead of sbi.co.in)
The layout, branding, and even SSL certificates are often copied from the original
Victims are usually lured via SMS, email, or social media ads
Once you enter your credentials, attackers harvest them instantly—resulting in financial loss, data breaches, or identity theft

Some even go further, installing malware silently in the background while the user believes they’re accessing a legitimate service.

Why Is India Seeing a Surge in These Attacks?

India’s digital transformation is both a blessing and a magnet for cybercriminals. With over 880 million active internet users, growing adoption of digital banking and mobile payments, and widespread use of apps like DigiLocker, MyGov, and UPI wallets—India is a ripe hunting ground.

In fact, according to The Economic Times, these 1,172 domains were targeting:

Customers of banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis
Utility bill payers for state electricity boards
KYC verification for Jio, Airtel, and VI
Government schemes such as PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, and tax refund portals
Insurance policyholders and claimants

This wasn’t random. It was targeted. Carefully designed. And it’s working.

How Were These Fake Domains Detected?

NTRO’s team used a mix of advanced cyber threat intelligence tools and machine learning models that scan the internet continuously for domain patterns, web server fingerprints, and content similarities with existing brands.

Once the fake domains are flagged, they’re usually passed on to CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team – India), which then:

Notifies domain registrars
Coordinates with hosting providers to shut down the websites
Alerts relevant brands or government departments
Works with law enforcement if necessary

But here’s the real problem: for every one phishing domain taken down, another five go up. These scams are agile, and cybercriminals often operate in clusters from outside India’s jurisdiction, making enforcement even more difficult.

Real-World Examples That Hit Close to Home

Let’s look at a few common scenarios:

Electricity Bill Scam
You receive a text saying “Your electricity connection will be disconnected today. Pay ₹343.65 immediately.” It includes a link that looks like your power provider’s site. When you click, it shows an authentic-looking page. You enter your payment details—and boom, you’re compromised.
Fake Government Refund
An email arrives saying “You are eligible for an ₹18,000 refund under PM-Kisan Yojana. Claim now.” The link redirects to a clone of the PM-Kisan portal—with one small difference: it’s not actually the official site.
KYC Verification Scam
A call or SMS tells you “Your mobile number will be deactivated unless you update KYC.” It includes a URL that mimics Airtel or Jio support pages. You’re asked for your Aadhaar number and OTP.

These attacks aren’t just affecting the digitally naive. Even tech-savvy individuals and SMEs are falling for them.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Here are simple but powerful steps to stay protected from phishing attacks:

Look closely at the URL – Does it have a misspelling? Is it a .com instead of .gov.in? Use browser bookmarks whenever possible.
Avoid clicking links in texts or emails – Instead, visit official websites by typing the address manually or via a search engine.
Don’t scan QR codes from unknown sources – This is a rising trend in phishing as well.
Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) – Especially for banking, email, and UPI apps.
Use up-to-date antivirus and security tools – Including real-time phishing detection extensions.
Report phishing sites – Forward emails or links to phishing@cert-in.org.in or report them via the official CERT-In portal.

What Should Businesses & Institutions Do?

This threat isn’t just a consumer problem—it’s a brand crisis waiting to happen for companies. When phishing domains impersonate your brand, your customers lose trust even if you weren’t directly compromised.

Here’s what your organization should be doing:

Implement DMARC, DKIM, SPF to prevent email spoofing
Use services like Have I Been Pwned to monitor credential leaks
Regularly run brand-monitoring scans for typosquat domains
Partner with a security company like Weborion to set up proactive threat monitoring
Educate your users through campaigns and mock phishing drills

Cybersecurity is no longer an IT problem. It’s a brand problem, a compliance issue, and a reputation risk.

Final Thoughts: Phishing Is a Pandemic We’re Not Talking Enough About

The fact that over a thousand fake domains were detected in just six months isn’t just another headline. It’s a massive red flag for where we’re headed.

With AI-generated websites, deepfake customer support agents, and cloned apps becoming common, phishing is evolving faster than most users can keep up with. The only way forward is layered protection—technical, educational, and policy-driven.

It’s time to stop thinking, “It won’t happen to me,” because, in 2025, that mindset is the first step towards becoming a victim.

Stay safe, stay aware, and when in doubt—don’t click.
If you’re a business looking to tighten your digital security posture, reach out to Weborion and let’s protect what matters most.

India Detects Over 1,100 Phishing Domains: What It Means for Your Online Safety