Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
Hyderabad, October 15,(Shoukat-PMI): The Cyber Crime Unit of Hyderabad City Police has issued a strong advisory urging citizens to remain alert against a surge in online scams during the festive season, particularly around Diwali. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting the festive shopping rush by using fake e-commerce websites, malicious APK files, phishing links, and fraudulent social media advertisements offering unbelievable discounts on electronic items and gifts.
According to the police, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the festive mood to trick people into sharing sensitive information such as banking credentials, OTPs, and credit card details, resulting in significant financial losses.
How the Scams Work
The Cyber Crime Unit detailed several tactics being used by the fraudsters:
- Fake E-commerce Portals and APK Files: Fraudsters circulate fake shopping apps and websites that resemble popular e-commerce platforms. Once users download these unauthorized APK files, malware is installed on their phones, giving scammers access to personal and banking data.
- Phishing Links: Victims are sent fake festive offer pages and payment gateways through SMS or social media. These links steal card details, OTPs, and net banking credentials.
- Gift and Lucky Draw Scams: Messages claiming that the user has “won a Diwali gift” or “exclusive rewards” prompt victims to pay small processing fees or share account details, leading to fraud.
- Social Media Advertising Scams: Fraudsters create fake social media pages advertising heavy discounts on branded items. Once payments are made, the products are never delivered, and the pages are deleted.
Recent Incidents
In one case, a 29-year-old woman from Secunderabad lost ₹1.4 lakh after fraudsters posing as executives of a shopping site offered her a fake iPhone 13 gift.
In another instance, a 69-year-old man from Azampura lost ₹1.02 lakh after contacting a fake Blinkit customer care number found online. The scammers sent him a malicious APK file, gaining remote access to his phone and withdrawing money from his bank account.
Police Advisory
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, urged citizens to exercise caution while shopping online during the festival season. He advised the public to:
- Avoid clicking on unverified links or downloading APK files.
- Shop only through trusted and verified websites.
- Never share OTPs, PINs, or banking details with anyone.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional security.
- Ignore calls or messages claiming to offer gifts, prizes, or lucky draws.
Reporting Cybercrime
Citizens who fall victim to online fraud are advised to immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or register a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in. Early reporting, police said, increases the chances of recovering lost money by freezing fraudulent transactions.
For updates and awareness, citizens can follow Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police on social media handles @cybercrimepshyd and @CyberCrimeshyd.(pressmediaofindia.com)
