The Supreme Court of India has issued another urgent public warning about a new fraudulent website impersonating its official portal. This alert highlights a persistent and growing threat of cybercrime targeting citizens and legal professionals alike.
A New Deceptive Domain Emerges
The Supreme Court Registry has specifically identified 'scigovinjudicial.com' as a fraudulent domain created by cybercriminals. This fake website is designed to look nearly identical to the court's authentic online presence, a tactic used to trick unsuspecting individuals into believing they are on a legitimate government portal. The advisory, issued on November 3, 2026, is the latest in a series of similar warnings, indicating a sustained effort by malicious actors to exploit the court's authority and public trust. Previous alerts were also circulated regarding other fake sites, making it clear this is not an isolated incident but a recurring danger.
The Official and Only Genuine Website
In its public notice, the Registry emphatically clarified that the one and only official domain for the Supreme Court of India is 'sci.gov.in'. The '.gov.in' suffix is a critical marker of an official Indian government website, a detail that cybercriminals often try to obscure with misleading alternatives. The fraudulent domain 'scigovinjudicial.com' intentionally combines keywords like 'sci', 'gov', and 'judicial' to create a URL that appears plausible at a quick glance, a common strategy in domain spoofing. The court urges all users—including citizens, advocates, and litigants—to exercise extreme caution and always verify the URL before interacting with any site claiming to represent it.
Understanding the Phishing Threat
The primary goal of this fraudulent website is 'phishing', a form of cyberattack where criminals impersonate a trustworthy entity to steal sensitive information. Through the fake portal, attackers attempt to solicit confidential credentials, personal details, and banking information from visitors. Unsuspecting users might be prompted to enter login details, passwords, or financial data, which is then captured by the criminals. This stolen information can lead to severe consequences, including financial loss, identity theft, and unauthorised access to private digital accounts. The advisory stresses that the Supreme Court of India never asks for personal information, financial details, or login credentials through its website or any unsolicited communication.
How to Protect Yourself from Fraud
Vigilance is the best defence against such scams. The Supreme Court Registry has provided clear guidance for all users. First, always double-check the URL in your browser's address bar to ensure it is the official 'sci.gov.in' domain. A helpful tip is to hover your cursor over any link before clicking to preview the full destination address. Be wary of links received via unsolicited emails or messages, even if they appear to come from an official source. These scams often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting without thinking. If you suspect you have accidentally visited the fake site or entered your details, the immediate first step is to change the passwords for all your important online accounts, especially for banking and email. Furthermore, you should promptly notify your bank to monitor for any unauthorised activity.
A Broader Pattern of Cyberattacks
This incident is part of a wider trend of cybercriminals targeting Indian government bodies and their digital infrastructure. In recent years, similar phishing campaigns have impersonated the Ministry of Defence and the Income Tax Department, using convincing templates and official-looking language to deceive officials and the public. These attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, sometimes using advanced techniques to bypass security filters and create a false sense of legitimacy. The repeated warnings from the Supreme Court underscore the growing challenge of protecting digital identity and data in an era where official institutions are prime targets for cyber fraud. Public awareness remains a crucial component in combating these threats effectively.
