Hajra Naz
Google is adding stronger AI security tools to India’s fight against digital fraud. The company is rolling out on-device scam detection for Pixel 9 phones. It is also adding new screen-sharing alerts for major financial apps. These AI scam alerts arrive as digital fraud rises across India.
More users are coming online for the first time. People use smartphones for payments, shopping, and key government services. Fraud tied to digital transactions made up over half of all bank fraud in 2024. RBI recorded 13,516 cases with losses of ₹5.2 billion ($58.61 million). Online scams caused an estimated ₹70 billion ($789 million) in losses in the first five months of 2025.
The Ministry of Home Affairs shared those numbers. Many cases never get reported. Victims often feel unsure about the complaint process. Some want to avoid further scrutiny. This gap keeps digital safety harder to track.
Google announced new real-time scam detection on Thursday. The system uses Gemini Nano. It analyzes calls on the device. It flags suspicious fraud patterns. It does not record audio or send data to Google servers. The feature is off by default. It works only for unknown numbers. A beep plays during the call to alert both sides. Google introduced it in the U.S. as a beta for Pixel 9 English users in March.
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Google said the feature will launch in India only on Pixel 9 and newer models. It will support English users only. The warning alerts are also in English. This limits reach in a market where Android runs nearly 96% of phones. Pixel held under 1% share in 2024. Most users rely on non-English languages. Companies like Google and Amazon have added local language support across services. That shift highlights the scale of India’s market. Google said it is working to bring scam detection to non-Pixel Android phones. No timeline was shared.
Google also announced a pilot with Navi, Paytm, and Google Pay. It targets screen-sharing fraud, a fast-growing cybercrime tactic. Scammers pressure users to share screens so they can steal OTPs, PINs, and other passwords during a call. Google first revealed the feature at Google I/O in May. It tested it in the U.K. before bringing it to India’s FinTech security push.
The alerts will work on Android 11 and newer devices. They warn users in real time and offer a one-tap option to end the call and stop screen sharing. Google confirmed plans to add more partners. Alerts will also appear in Indian languages. Details are still pending.
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For months, Google has used Play Protect to block predatory loan apps in India. It prevents the sideloading of third-party apps that request risky permissions often used in fraud. Google said Play Protect blocked over 115 million such install attempts this year. Google Pay shows more than a million fraud warnings each week. These alerts help users avoid risky digital transactions.
Google is also running its DigiKavach campaign to boost awareness. It focuses on digital fraud education and prevention. The campaign reached over 250 million people. Google worked with the RBI to publish a public list of authorized digital lending apps. It includes the names of linked non-banking financial companies. This helps users avoid malicious loan apps.
Earlier this year, Google launched a Safety Charter in India. It expands AI-driven fraud detection, cybercrime prevention, and digital security efforts. The charter is part of a plan to deploy more GenAI tools across the country.
Still, major gaps remain. Google has been questioned for allowing fake or misleading apps on the Play Store. Apple faces similar criticism. Review systems are supposed to filter fraudulent apps. Yet harmful apps continue to slip through.
Police and security researchers have flagged multiple investment and loan apps used in scams. Some stayed on the Play Store until investigators intervened. These incidents show how difficult it is to police an ecosystem that dominates India’s smartphone market. Fraud tactics evolve fast. Digital safety tools must match that speed.
