As mobile network expansion continues across India, many homeowners are eager to rent out their rooftops or vacant land for telecom towers to earn a steady monthly income. Cybercriminals are now exploiting this opportunity by sending fake No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and demanding processing or agreement fees from unsuspecting victims.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit has issued an important warning, clarifying that these documents are fake and urging citizens not to fall for such scams. Authorities have also warned that scammers may steal banking information, putting victims at risk of major financial losses.
PIB Warns Against Fake Mobile Tower NOC Scam
According to the PIB Fact Check Unit, fraudsters are circulating forged NOCs claiming to approve mobile tower installations. Victims are promised attractive monthly rental income in exchange for allowing telecom towers on their property.
To make the offer appear genuine, scammers use fake government-style documents, logos, and professional communication. They then ask for a small payment, claiming it is required to process the agreement.
Officials have confirmed that these documents are completely fake, and citizens should avoid making any payments.
How Does the Fake Mobile Tower Scam Work?
The fraud usually follows a simple but convincing pattern:
Scammers contact property owners through phone calls, WhatsApp, SMS, or email.
They promise monthly rental income for installing a telecom tower.
Victims receive a forged NOC or fake approval letter.
Fraudsters demand an "agreement fee" of around ₹2,500.
The payment may be described as:
Registration charges
Processing fees
Security deposits
Survey fees
Agreement charges
After receiving the money, scammers either disappear or continue demanding additional payments.
In many cases, they also ask for bank account details, Aadhaar information, PAN details, or OTPs, which can result in financial fraud.
Biggest Danger: Your Bank Account Could Be at Risk
Cyber experts warn that the financial loss may not stop at the initial payment.
If victims share sensitive banking information, scammers may:
Gain access to bank accounts.
Steal debit or credit card information.
Attempt unauthorized online transactions.
Commit identity theft using personal documents.
Launch further phishing attacks.
Even a small mistake can expose sensitive financial information.
How to Identify a Fake Mobile Tower Offer
Watch for these warning signs before trusting any proposal:
Extremely high monthly rental promises.
Requests for advance payments.
Fake-looking government documents.
Poor grammar or spelling mistakes.
Pressure to make immediate payments.
Unofficial email addresses or phone numbers.
Requests for Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, or OTPs.
These are common indicators of fraud.
How to Protect Yourself
Experts recommend following these safety measures:
Never pay any fee for telecom tower approval.
Verify offers directly through the telecom company's official customer support.
Avoid sharing bank account details, Aadhaar, PAN, passwords, or OTPs.
Carefully examine every document before acting.
Ignore unsolicited offers received through unknown numbers or social media.
Report suspicious activity to the relevant cybercrime authorities.
Genuine Telecom Companies Do Not Charge Property Owners
Government officials have clarified that legitimate telecom companies do not ask property owners to pay registration, agreement, or processing fees for installing mobile towers.
If anyone requests advance payments while promising telecom tower installation, it is almost certainly a scam.
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