Fraudsters luring cricket buffs

Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 5

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As the Indian cricket team started its ICC World Cup campaign with the match against South Africa on Wednesday, online fraudsters also started luring cricket buffs in order to earn money.

One of the methods by which fraudsters are tempting the city residents involves attractive text messages soliciting online bets on their favourite teams.

Such messages from fraudsters asked the interested receiver to pay a certain fee through online or offline modes in order to become eligible to bet. Since the banks were closed on Wednesday, the receivers of the messages could only opt for online transactions, and from here the fraudsters could con them

The text message received by prospective bettors contains a WhatsApp link and a mobile number. After clicking the WhatsApp link, the receiver is asked to make a profile on a website. A temporary name and password are also provided through WhatsApp. The receiver then gets a video guide, with description on how to place a bet. After all these processes, the receiver is asked to update the balance in his/her profile account in order to place the bet. To update the balance, an interested bettor is asked to submit money through online or offline transactions.

“I received a text at 11.09am. In order to look into the offer, I clicked on the link and I was then provided with a detailed video on how to place a bet, along with another link to a website. I was asked to register my name. On further exploring, I was asked update the balance in my account to become eligible to bet. On my insistence, I was provided with a bank account details, IFSC code and name of the account holder. I traced the bank, and found it is located in Jaipur in Rajasthan,” said a city resident who did not wish to be named.

Interestingly, the website on which the WhatsApp link takes you does not ask for proof of age or residence or account number details before accepting bets. 

Meanwhile, Chandigarh Police officials have cautioned the public to not fall for such offers received through text messages.

“Betting is illegal and we request people to not get duped by such offers. There is no authentication on such online apps or websites,” said DSP Charanjit Singh, PRO Chandigarh Police. 

“So far we have not received any complaint specifically in this regard. But if people want complain, we will definitely take action against the fraudsters. People should not fall in such traps. If they are getting troubled by calls or texts, they are welcome to file a complaint with us.”

“This is a clear case of duping people. The youngsters are the ones who fall in this trap quite often. After receiving money, the fraudsters often block the website and if a person opts for an online transaction, there is a possibility of one's account getting hacked,” said Seemra Kapur, an IT expert. “The fraudsters can further dupe a victim by forcing him/her to submit a big amount in order to get good returns.” 

Modus operandi 

• Fraudsters asked the interested receiver to pay a certain fee through online or offline modes in order to become eligible to bet. Since the banks were closed on Wednesday, the receivers of the messages could only opt for online transactions, and from here the fraudsters could con them. The text message received by prospective bettors contains a WhatsApp link and a mobile number. After clicking the WhatsApp link, the receiver is asked to make a profile. A temporary name and password are also provided through WhatsApp. The receiver then gets a video guide, with description on how to place a bet. After all these processes, the receiver is asked to update the balance in his/her profile account in order to place the bet.