India’s highest court has issued a rare and urgent public warning. A sophisticated new phishing scam involving a fake website is targeting citizens, and knowing what to look for is your first line of defence against data theft.
An Urgent Warning from the Top Court
The Supreme Court of India's
registry issued a public advisory on November 3, 2026, to alert citizens, advocates, and all other stakeholders about a fraudulent website. The advisory specifically names the domain 'scigovinjudicial.com' as a malicious platform impersonating the court's official portal. According to the warning, cybercriminals are using this fake site in a targeted phishing operation. The goal is to trick unsuspecting individuals into giving up sensitive personal and financial data, which could lead to identity theft and financial loss. The court's notice stressed that it never solicits personal information, passwords, or financial details through its website or email.
What Is Phishing and How Does It Work?
Phishing is a type of cybercrime where attackers masquerade as a trustworthy entity to dupe victims into opening a malicious link or attachment. In this case, criminals have created a website that looks nearly identical to the real Supreme Court portal to build a false sense of security. The fake site, 'scigovinjudicial.com', is designed to look official, but its purpose is to harvest your information. Once you are on the page, you might be prompted to enter login credentials, bank account details, or other personal data under a false pretext, such as verifying your identity or dealing with a supposed legal matter. This information goes directly to the scammers.
This Isn't the First Time
This recent alert is part of a worrying trend. The Supreme Court's registry has had to issue similar warnings multiple times over the past year and a half. Public notices about other fake websites cloning the court's official page were also circulated in July 2025, as well as April and August of 2026. Cybercriminals frequently misuse the names, logos, and visual styles of government bodies and judicial institutions to appear legitimate. This recurring pattern highlights the ongoing need for public vigilance when interacting with any link or website that claims to have official authority.
How to Protect Yourself: A Checklist
The Supreme Court’s advisory included several crucial tips to help you stay safe. First and foremost, always verify the URL. The only official and genuine website for the Supreme Court of India is 'sci.gov.in'. The fake site uses a '.com' address. Before clicking any link, hover your mouse over it to see the actual destination URL. Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information, even if they appear to be from an official source. Legitimate organizations will rarely ask for sensitive data via email. Look for spelling mistakes or unusual characters in the domain name, as these are common red flags.
What to Do If You Suspect You've Been Targeted
If you are concerned that you may have visited this fraudulent site or entered your details, it is crucial to act quickly. The Supreme Court advisory recommends immediately changing the passwords for all your important online accounts, including banking, email, and social media. Next, contact your bank and credit card companies to inform them of the potential unauthorized access. This allows them to monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and block any fraudulent transactions. You should also report the incident to India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at 'cybercrime.gov.in' or by calling the helpline number 1930, especially if financial fraud has occurred.
