Wingo Online Gaming App Banned in India Following Massive SMS Scam

The Ministry of Home Affairs has officially banned the Wingo online gaming app after uncovering a massive SMS fraud scheme linked to it. Millions of users across India were unknowingly caught up in this scam, as the app secretly sent fraudulent messages from their phones targeting unsuspecting victims.

Officials acted swiftly once the scale of the scam became clear, taking down the app and its entire operational network in India.

Wingo App Used Phones for Fraud Without Users’ Consent

Authorities revealed that Wingo was quietly pushing out fake SMS messages from users’ devices.

“People didn’t even realise their phones were part of the operation. The scam relied on sheer numbers—millions of messages, millions of unwitting participants,” officials said.

The government’s rapid intervention highlights the serious risk posed by apps that exploit users’ devices for fraudulent activities.

Cyber Crime Centre Warns Android Users

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) went public with the details of the Wingo scam on X (formerly Twitter). They directly advised Android users:

“Do not install or use the Wingo app.”

The I4C confirmed that it geo-blocked the app’s control servers, effectively shutting down operations across India.

Social Media Channels and Videos Blocked

The crackdown extended beyond the app itself. Authorities also blocked four Telegram channels, which collectively had over 150,000 users, and removed more than 53 YouTube videos promoting Wingo.

“These channels and videos weren’t just advertising; they were fueling the scam’s growth,” officials noted.

Over One Crore Fake Messages Stopped Instantly

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that nearly 15.3 million fraudulent SMS messages were prevented from reaching users’ phones by the government’s intervention.

“This was a well-organised fraud, and shutting it down was the only way to protect the public,” officials said.

India Gets Tough on Online Gaming Apps

This is not the first time India has acted against shady gaming and gambling apps. Following the new law implemented last year, gambling-based apps are now banned, and only skill-based games and e-sports platforms can legally operate in the country.

The government’s message is clear: India will protect users from digital scams and hold online platforms accountable for malicious practices.