Bangalore City Cybercrime Police's advisory to curb cybercrime
Bangaluru: You may be smart in your profession or business, but a moment of carelessness with your smartphone can cost you your hard-earned money in minutes. Cybercriminals are using sophisticated techniques to trick people and steal money from their accounts.
In Bengaluru, many people fall victim to scams through attractive or threatening messages on WhatsApp, Telegram, email, and other platforms, losing significant amounts of money. In the last four months alone, over a thousand complaints have been filed about such incidents.
Filing a complaint often doesn't result in recovering the lost money. It's extremely difficult for the police to track down and apprehend these cybercriminals. The chances of recovering stolen money are slim to none.
Cybercriminals use various tactics to lure their victims. You might receive messages promising easy earnings, part-time jobs, share trading opportunities, or lottery winnings. These messages often include links. Clicking on these links can compromise your phone or computer, allowing scammers to hack your accounts and steal your money. They are also skilled at tricking you into providing one-time passwords (OTPs) to complete fraudulent transactions.
Some scammers might call you, using persuasive language to extract personal information and OTPs. Once you provide these details, your money is as good as gone. They can also use threatening messages to intimidate you into complying with their demands.
The police advise people to be vigilant and not fall for these scams. Once hackers have your details and access your account, it's almost impossible to recover the stolen funds. The cyber fraud network is vast and intricate, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the fraud.
Ironically, well-educated professionals, including tech experts, are often the victims of these scams.
To combat this issue, the Bangalore City Cybercrime Police have launched a campaign to raise awareness about cyber fraud. They aim to educate the public on how cybercrime occurs, how cybercriminals can steal accounts without the victim's knowledge, and what precautions to take to stay safe.
Here are some key points from the cybercrime police to help protect yourself:
- Cybercrime Defined: Cybercrime involves the use of computers, networks, or electronic devices to commit offenses. It's a crime under the Information Technology Act 2000.
- Motives: Cyber crimes are usually committed to make illegal money, though some are intended to defame individuals.
- Prevention Tips: Be cautious of unsolicited messages and links, don't share personal information or OTPs with unknown callers, and stay informed about the latest cyber threats.
By staying alert and following these precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to cyber fraud.
Common Methods Used by Fraudsters
- Share Trading Scams
Fraudsters contact victims through WhatsApp or Telegram, promising high profits from trading. They lure people into downloading trading apps and initially provide small profits to gain trust. Once the victims deposit significant amounts of money, the fraudsters disappear with the funds.
- FedEx Courier Fraud
Scammers pose as officials from TRAI, CBI, Customs, or the police. They call victims, accusing them of criminal activity like drug involvement or money laundering, and threaten arrest. The victims are then tricked into providing bank account details and other personal information, which the fraudsters use to transfer money.
- Online Part-Time Job Scams
Victims are contacted via WhatsApp or Telegram with offers of easy part-time jobs, such as liking YouTube videos or rating hotels. After completing small tasks and receiving payments, victims are enticed to invest more money with promises of higher returns, only to be defrauded.
- Honeytrap Scams
Scammers, often posing as women, make video calls and engage in explicit conversations, recording the interaction. They then blackmail the victim by threatening to release the footage unless money is paid. The fraudsters may also impersonate officials or reporters to further intimidate the victim into paying.
- Fake Insurance Fraud
Fraudsters contact victims pretending to represent top insurance companies through websites like WhatsApp or Telegram. They offer false information and promises of high returns, convincing victims to deposit large sums of money into various accounts.
- Matrimonial Fraud
Scammers connect with victims on social media, particularly targeting divorced women. They build intimacy, propose marriage, and then claim to need money for various reasons. The victims transfer funds, believing the scammer is abroad and will soon visit them.
- OLX Fraud
Scammers create fake accounts on OLX, listing vehicles at low prices and using photos of military or high-ranking officials to appear legitimate. They claim the vehicles are at the airport and require immediate payment, deceiving victims into transferring money.
- Fake Web Link or OTP Scams
Fraudsters send links to victims, making them click under false pretenses. Once the link is clicked, they obtain OTPs and access bank accounts to transfer money. They might also send links claiming the bank account will be blocked, prompting victims to provide account details.
- Loan App Fraud
Fraudsters target individuals in urgent need of money, requesting documents like Aadhaar to provide loans. They charge exorbitant interest rates and, if payments aren't made, they harass victims by distorting their photos and sending them to their contacts. This harassment has led to some victims committing suicide due to the unbearable pressure.
When Scammers Call...
- Be Alert!
- If you receive a call promising easy money from a stranger, hang up immediately.
- If you get a threatening call from someone claiming to be a government official or police officer, hang up and report the incident to the nearest police station.
How to Be Safe
- Use Strong Passwords
- Create unique and complex passwords for all your accounts.
- Be Cautious with Websites
- Only visit reputable websites. Avoid entering personal information on unknown sites.
- Avoid Suspicious Apps
- Do not download or use apps that request personal information without verifying their legitimacy.
- Don’t Click Unknown Links
- Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources on social media or in messages.
- Keep Software Updated
- Regularly update your devices and software to protect against vulnerabilities.
What to Do Immediately if You Are Scammed
- Call the Cybercrime Helpline
- Dial 1930, a cybercrime helpline available across all states in India, to report the incident.
- File a Complaint Online
- Log into the NCRP portal to file a complaint. If the scam involves financial transactions, the related bank accounts can be frozen immediately.
By following these guidelines, you can protect yourself from falling victim to cyber scams and ensure your personal and financial information remains secure.
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Work underway on 'One Nation, One Election'; positive discussions ongoing: Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the "mission is still ongoing" for implementing the BJP's two key agendas, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and 'One Nation, One Election', with serious discussions underway and positive progress made.
Virtually addressing an event marking the BJP's 47th Foundation Day, Modi also said it was the saffron party that first raised the issue of women's reservation in 1994. He added that the current BJP-led central government is fully committed to ensuring that the Women's Reservation Act -- which would provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies -- is implemented in the 2029 general elections.
Targeting the Congress, he said BJP workers endured many hardships -- such as the Emergency and oppression -- under the grand old party's rule. Many BJP workers even sacrificed their lives, he said, citing states such as West Bengal and Kerala "where violence has been turned into a political culture".
"Our mission is still ongoing. On Uniform Civil Code, 'One Nation, One Election' and other issues, serious discussions are taking place in the country, and we have achieved tremendous progress on those fronts," Modi said.
He said the BJP aims to make the country developed and self-reliant, and will continue to march in that direction.
Under the 'One Nation, One Election' system, the Modi government proposes to conduct simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The UCC seeks to create the same set of laws for everyone across the country, irrespective of religion, especially with regard to marriage and adoption.
Modi said the BJP is sincerely striving to face every challenge.
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"There are countless works that were the result of the BJP's honest efforts, such as the repeal of hundreds of black laws from the British era, the construction of a new Parliament building, 10 per cent reservation for the poor in the general category, triple talaq ban, the Citizenship Amendment Act, the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple," he said.
The prime minister said the BJP had first proposed women's reservation in 1994 in Vadodara.
"We had also decided that we would encourage women in our party organisation as far as possible. When we came to power, we fulfilled that promise. Now we are fully dedicated to ensuring that the Nari Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act) is implemented in the 2029 general elections," he said.
Referring to the ongoing West Asia conflict, Modi said the BJP believes in the idea of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) even in times of war.
He said there was a time when India took pride in maintaining equal distance from every country, but now it is moving ahead by keeping close relations with each country.
Highlighting that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has completed 25 years of existence, Modi said it is the only coalition that has been working in the country's interest and for public welfare.
"The BJP has set an example in coalition politics. The consistent expansion of the NDA is proof that it is an all-inclusive coalition. It works by prioritising regional aspirations," he said.
Modi said people have seen dynastic politics, which is still prevalent in some parts of the country, and the Left governance model, but the BJP's governance model is unique.
"Under our governance model, policies and governments are stable," he said.
Modi said the BJP has its own agenda and aims, and besides handling the current crisis, the party-led government is preparing the country for the future.
"Works are ongoing on issues such as the demographic change, infiltration, corruption, dynastic politics, and freeing people from a colonial mindset. The BJP has to make the country free from all these challenges. This responsibility can be fulfilled only by the BJP," he said.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 (which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir) in 2019, Modi said that for decades, the law was a hurdle in fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
"People thought it was impossible to scrap Article 370, but we had promised to abrogate it. We have completed the task," he said.
He said the BJP has been maintaining a consistent stand on issues like national security and terrorism, and now new technologies are being installed for border security, border villages are being developed, and the backbone of Naxalism has been crushed.
He said under the "vast and sacred banyan tree" of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP was inspired to step into politics with good intentions and integrity.
"In the initial few decades, we devoted our energy to setting policies for the organisation," he said, adding that the BJP cannot forget that in 1984, the Congress won a record number of seats, but the country also witnessed how they betrayed the people.
"This increased people's trust in the BJP, and slowly we began to win seats. At that time, two types of political ideologies existed: one was power-driven, and the other was service-oriented.
"The politics that prioritised power gradually declined, and service-oriented politics gained massive public support. Today, we are proud that through our conduct, we have established a new principle in Indian politics: the principle of nation first," he said.
Earlier, in an X post, Modi greeted BJP workers on the party's foundation day. The BJP was formed on April 6, 1980.
"Our party has always been at the forefront of serving society, guided by the principle of India First. Our 'karyakartas' are known for their selfless service, unwavering dedication and a deep passion towards good governance. They have worked tirelessly at the grassroots, ensuring maximum people are connected to our ideology and work.
"We also remember the countless workers whose dedication, sacrifice and perseverance have shaped the party's growth over decades," he said.
Modi said the BJP stands as a party that places the well-being of people at the centre of its vision, and this is reflected in the work at the Centre and in various states.
"BJP remains committed to building a Viksit Bharat. May our collective resolve continue to drive this vision forward and take India to new heights of progress and prosperity," he said.
