Scam alert! Cyber cell reveals 27 tricks used by fraudsters
As technology continues to evolve, so do the tactics of scammers who are now using 27 methods to swindle people of their money and steal their personal data. According to the cyber cell of the state, these scams have become increasingly widespread.
Among the most common tricks, scammers are calling individuals and claiming that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is about to disconnect their phone service. Another frequent scam involves callers pretending to be from FedEx, urging the victim to press a key to confirm a package. Some impersonate police officers, asking for Aadhaar details, or even threaten victims with digital arrests. Other scammers claim that drugs have been found in packages allegedly sent by or to the victim.
In some cases, scammers pose as Army or Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and want to buy people’s belongings such as cars or household items. They often demand secrecy, asking victims not to inform anyone about the conversation. Another trick involves scammers attempting to extract money by pretending that money has been accidentally sent via UPI and demanding it be returned. Others impersonate food delivery apps like Swiggy or Zomato, requesting the victim to confirm their address by pressing a key or sharing one time passwords (OTPs).
Cybercriminals also target victims by requesting sensitive financial details, including debit/credit card numbers and CVVs, or even by luring individuals to share QR codes with fraudulent claims that someone they know is in an emergency and needs money. Some scammers promise high returns on investments in the stock or cryptocurrency markets, while others use artificial intelligence (AI) voice cloning technology to impersonate close relatives and request funds urgently.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of State CID Cybercrime Mohit Chawla has urged the public to be cautious. “Never answer video calls from unknown numbers. If you feel confused, switch off your phone and block the number,” he advised. He also cautioned against clicking on links in unsolicited messages, even if they appear official. Chawla recommended verifying any government or court notices by visiting official portals rather than responding to emails or messages.
He further suggested that if threatened with legal action, victims should ask for specific details such as the judge’s name, courtroom number, and building location. If the caller cannot provide this information, it’s a clear sign of a scam.
Chawla also recommended that if someone claims to be calling from a police station, asking the victim to report to a local station, the person should refrain from disclosing their location and allow the local police to serve the notice.
