Police urge citizens to verify calls, links and payment requests and report financial cyber fraud immediately
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Yamunanagar Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal, IPS, has issued a fresh cyber safety advisory for residents, urging them to remain alert against the rapidly evolving methods being used by cyber fraudsters. The police chief cautioned that scammers are continuously adopting new techniques to deceive people and that even a moment of carelessness can put a person’s hard-earned savings at risk. Goyal said the district police were taking continuous action against cyber criminals while simultaneously conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public about online fraud. He stressed that many cyber crimes could be prevented if people remained cautious and verified suspicious calls, messages, links and payment requests before responding. One of the major warnings in the advisory concerns the so-called “digital arrest” scam. The SP made it clear that digital arrest is completely fraudulent and that no police officer, Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department or other government agency conducts a digital arrest through a video call. If anyone claims to be a government officer, threatens legal action over a video call or demands money to avoid arrest, citizens should immediately disconnect the call and should not make any payment. The police have also advised residents never to share sensitive banking information with anyone. Banks, the Reserve Bank of India and government institutions do not ask people to disclose one-time passwords, ATM PINs, CVVs, net banking passwords or UPI PINs over phone calls or messages. Citizens should treat any such request as a warning sign and avoid sharing financial credentials even if the caller appears convincing. Another common method involves screen-sharing applications. People should be cautious if someone asks them to download applications such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer or QuickSupport. According to the advisory, fraudsters may use such applications to gain access to a victim’s mobile device and potentially obtain access to sensitive information or banking activity. Citizens should never install a remote-access application at the direction of an unknown caller. The police have also cautioned residents against fraud committed in the name of Know Your Customer updates. Fraudsters may claim that a bank account, SIM card, electricity connection, gas connection or FASTag will be blocked unless the recipient immediately clicks on a link or provides information. The police have advised citizens not to click on such links and instead verify the information directly through the official website, customer-care channel or office of the concerned organisation. Investment-related scams are another area of concern. The advisory warns people against offers promising unusually high returns within a short period through share trading, cryptocurrency, initial public offerings or other investment schemes. Citizens have been advised to stay away from suspicious links and WhatsApp or Telegram groups that promise quick profits or provide unsolicited investment opportunities. The SP also urged residents to strengthen the security of their social media accounts. People should use strong and unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever available. Strong account security can help reduce the risk of unauthorised access and misuse of personal information. Online shoppers have also been advised to exercise caution. The police said consumers should purchase products only through trusted websites or authorised e-commerce platforms. Before making an advance payment to an unfamiliar seller, buyers should independently verify the seller and the authenticity of the offer rather than relying solely on information provided through social media or messaging platforms. The advisory specifically highlights the misuse of QR codes. Citizens should remember that receiving money does not require them to scan a QR code or enter a UPI PIN. Fraudsters may send a QR code under the pretext of making a payment or receiving money, whereas scanning a malicious or payment-request QR code can potentially result in money being debited from the user’s account. People should therefore understand the purpose of a QR code before scanning it. Job seekers have also been warned against online employment scams. Fraudulent offers involving part-time jobs, work-from-home opportunities, online tasks, likes and shares or quick earnings are frequently circulated through WhatsApp, Telegram and social media platforms. The police have advised residents to verify employment opportunities independently and remain particularly cautious when an alleged employer demands money or sensitive financial information. Goyal also stressed the importance of protecting children and elderly family members, who may be particularly vulnerable to unfamiliar online techniques. Families should regularly explain common cyber fraud methods to children and senior citizens and encourage them to consult a trusted family member before responding to suspicious calls, messages, links or financial requests. The SP said that anyone who becomes a victim of cyber fraud should not panic or delay reporting the incident. Immediate action is important, particularly in cases involving financial transactions. The sooner a complaint is reported, the greater the possibility of taking timely steps to trace or prevent further movement of the defrauded funds. Citizens facing cyber fraud have been advised to immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and register their complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal�. They should also promptly approach the nearest cyber police station or the concerned police station. The police advisory comes amid the growing use of digital payments, online banking, social media and internet-based services in everyday life. While these services have made financial and commercial transactions faster and more convenient, they have also created new opportunities for fraudsters to target unsuspecting users. Goyal said awareness and caution remain among the strongest safeguards against cyber criminals. He urged residents not to be intimidated by threats, rushed into making payments or persuaded by unrealistic offers. Any unexpected demand for money, confidential information, remote access or urgent action should be independently verified before a person proceeds. The Yamunanagar police chief said the district police remained committed to protecting citizens and taking effective action against cyber criminals. He appealed to residents to adopt safe digital practices and share information about cyber fraud methods with family members and acquaintances. The core message of the advisory is simple: citizens should think carefully before clicking on an unfamiliar link, answering an unexpected call or responding to an attractive financial offer. By remaining alert, protecting confidential information and reporting fraud without delay, residents can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber scams and help law-enforcement agencies act more effectively against online criminals.
