IN-SPACe flags impersonation attempts, warns cybercriminals posing as officials

Cyber attackers have been increasingly targeting government institutions in phishing attacks

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued a public alert after reports that individuals were impersonating its officials and reaching out to people through WhatsApp, email and other online platforms.

What has IN-SPACe said?

“It has come to our notice that some users are receiving messages through WhatsApp, email, etc., from individuals falsely claiming to be IN-SPACe officials. Please verify the details before responding & do not share any sensitive information. If you receive such a message, kindly inform us,” the agency said in an email from September 11. Moneycontrol has reviewed a copy of the e-mail.

Why this matters

The warning underlines growing concerns over cyber frauds targeting Indian government institutions.

With IN-SPACe playing a pivotal role in enabling private space activities in India, scammers posing as officials could attempt to dupe startups, contractors, or individuals exploring opportunities in the space sector.

Also read: Inbox intrusion: NIC's advisory to government employees warns against phishing attacks

A larger national concern

This is not the first such alert. Over the past year, multiple central agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and CERT-In, have cautioned against fraudulent e-mails and calls seeking confidential data.

Also read: India says Navy officers and their families being targeted by cybercriminals

A global trend

Such scams are not unique to India. Across the world, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and even the UN have issued warnings about fake e-mails and fraudulent solicitations in their name. Cybersecurity experts note that attackers often target high-profile institutions to gain legitimacy and trick unsuspecting individuals or companies.

What should users do?

IN-SPACe has urged the public to:

• Verify credentials of anyone claiming to be an official.
• Avoid sharing personal, financial, or sensitive details over messaging or email.
• Report suspicious communication directly to the agency.