Yamunanagar Police issues a cyber safety advisory warning citizens against QR code scams and fraudulent digital payment requests.
Yamunanagar Police warns against digital arrest scams, OTP fraud, fake KYC links, investment traps and screen-sharing apps; victims asked to immediately call cyber helpline 1930
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal, IPS, has issued a latest cyber advisory urging citizens to remain alert amid the growing threat of online fraud and cybercrime. He said cybercriminals are continuously adopting new methods to trap unsuspecting people, and even a small mistake can result in the loss of a person’s lifetime savings.
The SP said Yamunanagar Police is not only taking action against cybercriminals but is also continuously running public awareness campaigns to prevent cyber fraud. He stressed that timely caution and awareness can help citizens avoid a large number of cybercrime incidents.
Kamaldeep Goyal appealed to people not to trust unknown calls, suspicious links, fake investment offers or messages that create fear or promise unusually high profits. He said citizens should think carefully before clicking on any link or sharing personal and financial information.
No Government Agency Makes a ‘Digital Arrest’ Through Video Call
The Yamunanagar Police cyber advisory clearly warns citizens against the growing menace of so-called digital arrest scams.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal said no police officer, CBI official, ED officer, Income Tax Department representative or any other government agency can place a person under “digital arrest” through a video call.
Fraudsters often impersonate government officials and use fear, threats and false allegations to pressure victims into transferring money. Citizens have been advised to immediately disconnect such calls if someone claiming to be an official attempts to threaten, intimidate or demand money from them.
Never Share OTP, ATM PIN, CVV or UPI PIN
The police advisory also stresses that citizens should never share sensitive banking information with anyone.
Banks, the Reserve Bank of India and government agencies do not ask customers to disclose their OTP, ATM PIN, CVV, net banking password or UPI PIN through phone calls, messages or social media platforms.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal said sharing even one such confidential detail can give fraudsters access to a person’s bank account and lead to financial loss.
Citizens have therefore been advised to treat every request for banking credentials as suspicious unless it is verified through official channels.
Beware of Screen-Sharing Apps
The police have also cautioned people against downloading screen-sharing applications at the request of unknown persons.
Fraudsters may ask victims to install applications such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, QuickSupport or other screen-sharing tools, claiming that they are needed for KYC updates, technical support, banking assistance or customer service.
Once access is granted, criminals may be able to view sensitive information displayed on the victim’s mobile phone and misuse it for financial fraud.
The advisory urges citizens not to install such applications merely on the instructions of an unknown caller or online contact.
Do Not Click on Fake KYC and Service Update Links
Cybercriminals also use fake messages claiming that a person’s bank account, SIM card, electricity connection, gas connection or FASTag will be blocked unless an immediate KYC update is completed.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal advised citizens not to click on links received through suspicious SMS messages, WhatsApp messages or emails.
People should instead verify such claims directly through the official website, customer care channel or authorised office of the concerned organisation.
Stay Away From Fake Investment and Trading Offers
The cyber advisory also warns against schemes promising unusually high or quick returns through share trading, cryptocurrency, IPOs and other investment opportunities.
Fraudsters often use WhatsApp and Telegram groups to attract people with fake screenshots, fabricated profits and promises of guaranteed returns.
Citizens have been advised not to invest money merely on the basis of links, social media advertisements or messages received from unknown groups or individuals.
Any investment decision should be made only after proper verification through authorised and reliable channels.
Strengthen Social Media Security
The SP also appealed to citizens to secure their social media accounts by using strong and unique passwords.
People have been advised to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on important accounts to provide an additional layer of security.
Weak passwords and failure to secure social media accounts can allow cybercriminals to gain access and misuse personal information, contacts or accounts for fraudulent activities.
Exercise Caution While Shopping Online
Citizens have also been advised to make online purchases only through reliable and authorised websites or recognised e-commerce platforms.
Before making any advance payment, buyers should properly verify the seller and avoid dealing with suspicious websites or social media accounts offering products at unrealistic prices.
The police advisory warns that fake online shopping platforms and fraudulent sellers often disappear after receiving advance payments.
Think Before Scanning a QR Code
SP Kamaldeep Goyal highlighted another important safety rule for digital payment users.
Citizens should remember that receiving money does not require scanning a QR code. Fraudsters often mislead victims by asking them to scan a QR code to receive a payment, refund or prize.
In reality, scanning certain payment QR codes and entering a PIN may result in money being debited from the user’s account.
People have therefore been urged to verify every payment request carefully before scanning a QR code or approving a transaction.
Beware of Fake Jobs and Work-From-Home Offers
The advisory also warns against fake job and work-from-home schemes circulated through Telegram, WhatsApp and social media platforms.
Fraudsters often offer part-time jobs, “like and share” tasks or easy work-from-home opportunities and initially create confidence by making small payments. Victims may later be asked to deposit or invest larger amounts of money.
Citizens have been advised to remain cautious of any employment opportunity that requires upfront payments or promises unrealistic earnings.
Children and Senior Citizens Should Also Be Made Aware
SP Kamaldeep Goyal appealed to families to ensure that children and elderly members are also aware of common cyber fraud methods.
Senior citizens and young internet users can become targets of impersonation scams, fake links, fraudulent calls and social media traps. Creating awareness within families can play an important role in preventing cybercrime.
Call 1930 Immediately in Case of Cyber Fraud
The Superintendent of Police said that anyone who becomes a victim of cyber fraud should not panic and must take immediate action.
The faster a complaint is registered, the greater the possibility of preventing further loss and improving the chances of recovering the defrauded amount.
Victims have been advised to immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 and register their complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Citizens can also contact their nearest cyber police station or the concerned local police station without delay.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal said that an alert and aware citizen is one of the strongest safeguards against cybercriminals. He added that Yamunanagar Police remains committed to public safety and is continuously taking action against those involved in cybercrime.
The police chief appealed to citizens to follow one simple rule while using phones, social media, online banking and digital payment platforms: think before you click. Unknown links, suspicious calls, threats and unrealistic offers should never be trusted without proper verification.
