Cybersecurity experts and police departments across India, including Hyderabad and Mumbai, are warning the public about a New Year 2026 scam. Malicious messages, disguised as festive greetings on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, may contain an APK file. Clicking or downloading this file can install malware, potentially giving hackers control of the user's phone, leading to data theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized access to banking applications and accounts.