Google AI Scam Protection in India: What You Need to Know

Google Enhances AI-Powered Fraud Protection in India

Google is bolstering its efforts to combat the increasing prevalence of digital fraud within India. New initiatives include the rollout of on-device scam detection capabilities for Pixel 9 devices, alongside the introduction of screen-sharing alerts specifically designed for financial applications.

The Rise of Digital Fraud in India

The incidence of digital fraud is escalating in India, driven by a growing number of individuals coming online and a heightened reliance on smartphones for financial transactions, shopping, and access to governmental services. Data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) indicates that fraud related to digital transactions accounted for over half of all reported bank fraud in 2024 – a total of 13,516 instances resulting in financial losses of ₹5.2 billion (approximately $58.61 million).

Furthermore, online scams are estimated to have caused approximately ₹70 billion (around $789 million) in losses during the first five months of 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is widely believed that a substantial number of fraudulent incidents remain unreported, often due to victims' uncertainty regarding reporting procedures or a desire to avoid further investigation.

New AI-Powered Scam Detection Features

On Thursday, Google announced the expansion of its real-time scam-detection functionality. This feature leverages Gemini Nano to analyze calls directly on the device, identifying potential fraudulent activity without recording audio or transmitting data to Google servers.

The feature is initially disabled by default and operates solely on calls originating from unknown numbers. During a potentially fraudulent call, an audible beep is played to alert all participants. This capability was first introduced as a beta program in the U.S. in March, catering to English-speaking Pixel 9 users.

Google has confirmed to TechCrunch that this on-device scam detection will initially be exclusive to Pixel 9 and subsequent models within India. While this limits its immediate impact in a market where Android holds a dominant 96% share (according to Statcounter), Pixel devices currently represent less than 1% of the market share (as of 2024).

The technology company also indicated its intention to extend scam detection capabilities to non-Pixel Android phones, although a specific timeline for this expansion has not been provided.

Multilingual Support

The feature supports both Hindi and English languages. The AI model is capable of processing and identifying scams communicated by the caller in Hindi, and delivering the warning to the user in Hindi as well, Google stated.

Combating Screen-Sharing Scams

Google has also initiated a pilot program in India, collaborating with financial applications such as Navi, Paytm, and Google Pay. This program aims to mitigate screen-sharing scams, where fraudsters manipulate victims into sharing their screens to gain access to one-time passwords, PINs, and other sensitive credentials during a phone call.

This feature, initially unveiled at Google I/O in May and initially tested in the U.K., will be accessible to users with devices running Android 11 or later. It provides users with a one-tap option to terminate the call and disable screen sharing. Google has communicated to TechCrunch its plans to incorporate additional app partners and extend alert support to various Indian languages, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Broader Fraud Prevention Measures

For several months, Google’s Play Protect service has been utilized to restrict predatory loan applications in India by preventing the sideloading of third-party apps that request permissions frequently exploited for fraudulent purposes. The company reports that this service has blocked over 115 million such installation attempts this year.

Google Pay currently generates more than one million warnings each week for transactions identified as potentially fraudulent, according to the company.

Awareness and Collaboration

Google is also conducting its DigiKavach awareness campaign to educate the public about digital fraud, reaching over 250 million individuals. The company has collaborated with the Reserve Bank of India to publish a publicly accessible list of authorized digital lending applications and their associated non-banking financial companies, aiming to curtail malicious actors.

Earlier in the year, Google launched a Safety Charter in India to expand its AI-driven fraud detection and security initiatives, as part of a larger strategy to deploy more AI tools within the country to address the growing issue of fraud.

Remaining Challenges

Despite these efforts, Google continues to face challenges in effectively curbing digital fraud in India. Like Apple, the company has faced scrutiny for allowing fraudulent and misleading applications to appear on its app store, despite the presence of review processes designed to prevent such submissions.

Investment and loan applications used in scams have repeatedly been flagged by police and security researchers as remaining available on the Play Store until intervention. These instances highlight the difficulties Google encounters in regulating an ecosystem that dominates the Indian smartphone market.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect Google’s clarification that the AI-scam detection feature is available in both Hindi and English in India, correcting previously inaccurate information.