India, July 22 -- A new report by BioCatch has highlighted a sharp rise in mobile-based fraud in India, with text message (SMS)-based scams increasing by 146% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

According to the report, mobile fraud sessions increased by 67% during the period. Fraud activity on iOS devices rose by 86%, while Android devices recorded a 35% increase. In contrast, web browser-based fraud sessions declined by 10%, indicating a continued shift towards mobile platforms as the primary channel for cybercriminals.

"SMS scams are particularly effective because they exploit trusted communication channels, making fraudulent messages appear legitimate and prompting customers to act before they st...