When the world’s biggest AI gathering ends, you don’t expect your phone to buzz with a scam. But that’s exactly what happened after the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Days after the event wrapped up at Bharat Mandapam, organisers issued an urgent warning: scammers are sending fake refund messages to attendees through WhatsApp and SMS. Fake refund messages circulating The organisers of the summit revealed that several participants received fraudulent messages claiming to process event-related refunds. These messages ask for sensitive details like card numbers, CVV codes, one-time passwords (OTPs), and even WhatsApp contact information. Some of the messages also include suspicious links designed to steal banking credentials. In a public advisory, the team clarified that these messages are fake and not authorised by the summit. They clearly stated: These communications are not official and have not been authorised by our organisation. Organisers stressed that no legitimate refund process would ever require attendees to share confidential financial information over SMS or WhatsApp. IndiaAI Mission issues official warning The IndiaAI Mission, an independent division under the Digital India programme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, also released a public alert. In its warning posted on X (formerly Twitter), the mission said: “It has come to our attention that a Phishing Scam is currently targeting attendees of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.” It further added: Fraudulent messages are being circulated via SMS and WhatsApp, requesting sensitive information to facilitate ‘refunds’. These communications are not official and have not been authorized by our organization. The mission emphasised that it will never ask for financial details through messaging platforms. We urge all attendees to remain vigilant against unsolicited requests for card numbers or WhatsApp contact details. Participants who may have clicked on suspicious links were advised to contact their banks immediately and secure their accounts. Also read: Two Google Play Store apps leaked over 2M user data, anyone can watch private pics and videos
Why big events are easy targets Cybersecurity experts say large conferences and high-profile tech events are increasingly becoming targets for phishing attacks. Scammers often take advantage of publicly available attendee lists or the buzz around a major event.
By pretending to be organisers, they try to exploit trust and urgency, especially when money or refunds are mentioned. The phishing scare highlights a growing risk: as events become bigger and more digital, so do the cyber threats around them. A high-profile summit The phishing warning comes shortly after the conclusion of the five-day summit, held from February 16 to 20 in New Delhi. Marketed as one of the world’s largest AI gatherings, the event reportedly drew over 50,000 participants from more than 118 countries. The summit saw major announcements around AI governance, infrastructure expansion, and multi-billion-dollar investment pledges. Also read: iPhone storage always full? Here’s how to free up space without deleting your photos and videos
Stay alert
While the summit focused on shaping the future of artificial intelligence, the phishing episode is a reminder of today’s digital risks. Organisers have urged attendees to rely only on official communication channels for updates.
Any unexpected refund message asking for financial details should be treated as suspicious.
India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was a major global technology event held in New Delhi, bringing together world leaders, top AI experts, and thousands of participants from around the world. It spotlighted cutting-edge AI innovations, big investment commitments, and discussions on shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
The summit is trending due to its high-profile announcements, global participation, and, more recently, reports of phishing scams targeting attendees. Source: Google Trends
