Sophisticated digital frauds a matter of concern, state police issue advisory
Chandigarh, March 2
In an era in which digital convenience has become integral to our lives, avenues for cybercriminals have also opened up to exploit unsuspecting citizens. The Haryana Police Department, in a recent advisory, has highlighted an alarming increase in diversity in cybercrime tactics across the state. “From impersonation scams to fraudulent job offers, the digital domain is fraught with hazards that the public needs to be aware of and guard against,” said Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur.
Digital traps
- A particularly insidious tactic involves criminals posing as law enforcement officials or representatives of reputed organisations
- Another is the menace of online job fraud, where cybercriminals create fake job portals or impersonate officials from renowned companies
- In the telegram task scam, the victims receive unsolicited messages offering easy money for simple tasks, only to find themselves trapped in schemes that require financial investments, ultimately leading to losses
- Investment fraud, too, is on the rise, with criminals misrepresenting investment opportunities, especially in the stock market, to deceive individuals into making unwise financial commitments
Domain fraught with hazards
From impersonation scams to fraudulent job offers, the digital domain is fraught with hazards that the public needs to be aware of and guard against. — Shatrujeet Kapur, DGP, Haryana
The advisory released by the Haryana Police Department sheds light on several sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters to dupe citizens. Among these, a particularly insidious tactic involves criminals posing as law enforcement officials or representatives of reputedorganisations. In one noted case, individuals masquerading as FedEx employees concocted a scenario involving a parcel containing illegal substances purportedly intercepted, leading victims to transfer funds under the guise of facilitating an investigation.
Moreover, the rise of customer care fraud has become a significant concern. Many individuals, in search of customer support numbers via search engines, end up contacting fraudulent numbers, said the ADGP, Cyber, OP Singh. These imposters, posing as customer care representatives, exploit the situation to extract personal and financial information, culminating in financial losses to the victims.
The advisory also highlights the menace of online job fraud, where cybercriminals create fake job portals or impersonate officials from renowned companies. Unsuspecting job seekers are lured into sharing sensitive information or transferring money for non-existent job opportunities, registration fees, or training programmes.
Another method of fraud mentioned in the advisory is the telegram task scam, where the victims receive unsolicited messages offering easy money for simple tasks, only to find themselves trapped in schemes that require financial investments, ultimately leading to losses.
Investment fraud, too, is on the rise, with criminals misrepresenting investment opportunities, especially in the stock market, to deceive individuals into making unwise financial commitments.
In light of these threats, the Haryana Police urge the public to remain vigilant and cautious. The advisory recommends verifying the authenticity of any communication requesting personal or financial information and refraining from sharing sensitive details over phone calls or through unverified websites and applications.The public is also advised to be skeptical of unsolicited job offers or investment opportunities that seem too good to be true.
“The Haryana Police Department is committed to combating cybercrime and safeguarding the citizens of Haryana. Through public cooperation and adherence to the advisory, the department aims at thwarting the attempts of cybercriminals,” said the ADGP.
“The police encourages anyone who encounters suspicious activities or communications to report them immediately to the authorities or cybercrime helpline number 1930. This collective vigilance is crucial in the ongoing battle against the sophisticated world of cybercrime,” he further said.
