India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has warned cryptocurrency users that peer-to-peer transactions involving UPI payments can expose sellers to fraud-linked funds and subsequent scrutiny. An advisory issued on September 11, 2026, said buyers offering unusually high prices for USDT may be attempting to move illicit proceeds and urged users to use only exchanges registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit. The CBI also advised against P2P deals arranged through Telegram or WhatsApp and against accepting third-party payments, directing suspected cybercrime victims to call 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in. The warning followed a Tamil Nadu Economic Offences Wing investigation into an alleged roughly ₹400-crore operation spanning four districts. The scheme allegedly collected cash and digital payments, converted funds into USDT and shut down its application after promising investors their money would double within 40 to 45 days. The case had resulted in 17 arrests, 13 frozen accounts and around 40,000 complaints.