“Everything looks safe… until it isn’t. The probable scam might be hiding in plain sight — right inside a QR code.”
🖊️ By Shubhra • July 16, 2025 • Cybersecurity & QR Awareness
🕵️♂️ The Stranger Code: A Story Anyone Could Live
Alex was in a rush.
On a rainy Thursday evening, he spotted a courier slip stuck to his front gate.
"We missed you! Scan this QR to reschedule delivery."
Simple enough. He pulled out his phone, scanned the code — and that was it.
The page looked like a standard delivery portal. He was asked to verify his name and address.
The moment he hit submit, his phone buzzed strangely, and minutes later, his bank app sent him a login alert.
He’d just been “quished.”
That QR code wasn’t from any courier service. It was a clever trap — invisible to the naked eye and devastatingly effective.
📦 What is QR Code Phishing?
Quishing is a form of phishing that uses QR codes instead of traditional links.
Since you can’t “read” a QR code until it’s scanned, scammers use them to:
- 🔗 Hide malicious links
- 🎭 Imitate legitimate websites
- 🧠 Steal sensitive information
- 🐛 Install spyware or ransomware
These attacks work because QR codes are trusted and convenient — and that’s exactly why scammers love them.
📂 Real Case 1: The Parking Meter Scam (Austin, Texas – 2022)
Police in Austin discovered fake QR code stickers on parking meters.
People scanned them, thinking they were paying for parking — but instead, the codes led to a fake payment site that stole credit card info.
🎯 Impact: Dozens of victims, financial loss, city-wide QR audit launched.
📂 Real Case 2: Fake Payment Screenshot Scam (Ahmedabad, India – 2025)
At a local electronics store in Ahmedabad, a man posing as a buyer picked a MacBook.
He scanned the store’s actual QR code, then showed the shopkeeper a WhatsApp screenshot of a “successful ₹67,000 UPI payment.”
Trusting it, the store owner handed over the laptop.
📉 But no payment was ever received — the screenshot was fake.
🎯 Impact: ₹67,000 loss, FIR filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
📂 Real Case 3: QR Code Sticker Swap Scam (Khajuraho, MP – 2025)
Scammers replaced QR codes at local businesses like petrol pumps, paan stalls, and medical stores.
Customers paid — but the money went to the fraudsters’ accounts.
One vigilant shop owner noticed an unfamiliar name: “Chhotu Tiwari” on her UPI app, triggering the scam’s discovery.
🎯 Impact: Payment diversion, multiple stores affected, 1 arrest within 72 hours.
🎯 Why Are QR Scams So Effective?
Because they target habits, not just technology:
- ✅ Instant Trust: QR codes are now common — at cafes, hospitals, ATMs, even temples.
- 🎭 Visual Illusion: A fake QR looks identical to a real one.
- 🚫 No Filters: Image-based codes bypass most spam filters.
- ⚠️ Urgency & Authority: Wording like “Verify now” or “Secure your account” creates panic.
And in that panic — people scan.
📸 How QR Code Phishing Typically Works
The Setup:
A flyer, sticker, or slip contains a QR code, pretending to be from a courier, bank, or shop.
The Scan:
The QR leads to a site that looks legit, asking for login or verification info.
The Trap:
Victims enter credentials, OTPs, or card numbers.
The Fallout:
Details are stolen. Often, you're redirected to the real site afterward — making the scam hard to detect.
🛡️ How to Stay Safe from QR Code Scams
Here are pro tips to protect yourself:
🔒 Inspect Before You Scan
Avoid QR stickers on ATMs, parking meters, flyers, or any manually placed items.🔍 Use Preview Scanner Apps
Apps like Kaspersky QR Scanner show the link before visiting.🚫 Don’t Enter Sensitive Info After a Scan
If you didn’t initiate it — don’t trust it.🧠 Use Password Managers
They won’t autofill on scam sites.🔐 Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Stops logins, even if your password is compromised.👪 Educate Family and Friends
Especially elders or non-tech users who are more vulnerable.
⚠️ Spot the Red Flags
Here’s what fake QR scams often include:
- 🚩 Unfamiliar sender or manually pasted QR stickers
- 🚩 Generic greetings like “Hi user”
- 🚩 Urgency: “Scan now or lose access”
- 🚩 Preview links showing odd domains
- 🚩 Typos, poor grammar, or mismatched branding
💭 Final Thoughts
We live in a world where scanning a square can:
- Get you a menu
- Open a bank portal
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- ...or steal your identity
“The more seamless the tech, the more invisible the threat.”
So next time you see a QR code…
🔐 Stop. Think. Preview.
Because some codes don’t lead to websites — they lead to regret.
✍️ Author’s Note
As cyber threats evolve, so must our awareness.
This post was written to empower everyone — techies and non-techies alike — to recognize QR code scams in everyday life.
Through real stories, simple explanations, and easy tips, I hope it helps you spot the risks before they reach you or someone you care about.
🔁 Share this with your friends, parents, or colleagues — it might protect them from scanning the wrong code.
🗣️ What’s Your Take?
💬 Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments.
Have you ever encountered a suspicious QR code?
© 2025 Shubhra Safi
Unauthorized reproduction of any content is prohibited.