India AI Summit Refund Messages Trigger Confusion Amid Phishing Alert
Attendees of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 were left confused after receiving WhatsApp messages requesting banking details to process refunds for unused balances on prepaid cashless cards. The messages, sent on February 22 by event partner Dreamcast, included card numbers, phone numbers, and a deadline for submitting bank details, prompting concerns among participants about their authenticity.
The confusion deepened when the government issued a public advisory the same day, warning attendees about phishing scams circulating via SMS and WhatsApp. Officials urged participants to avoid sharing sensitive information and to rely only on official communication channels. Printed instructions on the back of the summit’s physical cards also stated that refunds would be governed by the event organiser’s policy, adding to the uncertainty.
Dreamcast later confirmed that at least one of the circulating refund messages was legitimate and sent from its official WhatsApp account. The company clarified that it operates as a “pure agent” for cashless services, facilitating refunds within a limited window before transferring remaining balances to the organiser. However, it acknowledged reports of fraudulent messages and said its support team was assisting users in verifying authentic communications.
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