Customs issues high alert as fraudsters pose as officials at Bengaluru airport
Bengaluru (PTI): The Customs department at the Kempegowda International Airport on Friday issued a high alert for the public after detecting a fraud racket in which impostors posing as Customs officials are cheating people and extorting money from them.
According to the Customs, fraudsters are targeting innocent citizens, particularly those from the economically weaker sections, by exploiting their fear and urgency through phone calls, social media and messaging platforms.
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The scammers falsely claim that a passenger arriving from abroad has been detained by Customs and demand immediate payment to “resolve” the issue.
Warning the public against falling prey to such tactics, the Customs commissioner said, “Customs officials never contact people via phone, WhatsApp, or social media to demand payments of fines or penalties. Moreover, we do not accept money into personal bank accounts. All official payments to the government are made only through authorised counters or online portals with proper receipts.”
Explaining the modus operandi, Customs officials said the fraudsters first befriend the victims online or through direct contact and later claim that a friend or relative has been stopped at the airport.
They threaten jail term or harassment unless Customs duty or fines are paid immediately, prompting the victims to transfer large sums to personal bank accounts, UPI IDs or digital wallets. Once the money is transferred, the fraudsters cut off all communication.
The Customs department clarified that no passenger is harassed for non-payment of duty, and that all official procedures are carried out strictly as per the law and under CCTV surveillance at the airport.
Appealing to the public to remain vigilant, the Customs department urged people not to respond to calls or messages seeking money in the name of Customs officials.
Victims or recipients of such calls have been asked to report the matter immediately by emailing commrapacc-cusblr@gov.in or by contacting the cybercrime helpline at 1930. The officials warned that strict legal action will be taken against those involved in the fraud.
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TN polls: TVK pushes DMK behind with leads in 83 seats, AIADMK ahead in 54
Chennai (PTI): New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was leading in as many as 83 constituencies on Monday when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly polls was on across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK was leading in 58 seats while the ruling DMK was ahead in 34, EC data showed.
About two hours after the postal ballots were counted and EVMs opened for multi-round counting, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam surged ahead of its Dravidian rivals-- the DMK and the AIADMK, with the ruling party struggling to catch up.
If the trends maintain, Vijay could as well ensure the biggest electoral upset, something in lines with the "1967,1977" wins he had referred to in his campaign speeches.
While the Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai brought the first non-Congress government in Tamil Nadu post-independence in 1967, the charismatic MG Ramachandran (MGR) installed the maiden AIADMK government 10 years later, unseating then DMK government under M Karunanidhi. TVK was leading in most Chennai segments, all considered DMK strongholds and currently represented by the party in the 234-member House.
A poor show by DMK could belie most exit polls giving an edge to it, riding on the number of populist measures Chief Minister M K Stalin had implemented in his five year "Dravidian model," inclusive governance.
According to EC and TV reports, 15 cabinet ministers, including Stalin were trailing. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi was also behind in his incumbent Chepauk-Tirvuvallikeni seat, according to a number of reports.
Stalin was trailing behind TVK's VS Babu by 1234 votes in Kolathur segment. Vijay was ahead in Tiruchirappalli East by over 3,000 votes at the end of two rounds of counting, according to EC data.
BJP is trailing in 26 constituencies and it is ahead in Thali segment alone. TVK is ahead in constituencies including Ponneri, Tiruvallur, Poonamalle, and Avadi.
AIADMK is leading in segments including Katpadi, and Guidyattam and party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is ahead in Edappadi segment by 7003 votes.
DMK was leading in segments including Vellore, Anaikattu and Rishivandiyam.
