The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Online Scams

  • Himachal Horror: Man Loses Rs 5.34 Lakh To Cyber Thugs In Hamirpur |

    New Delhi: As cyber frauds reach alarming heights, a local resident became the latest victim when scammers posing as cyber police officials threatened him with arrest. They falsely claimed his Aadhaar card was being used in illegal activities, officials reported on Saturday.

    How did the fraud begin?

    Bal Chand Rajput, a resident of Galod in Hamirpur district received a call on July 23 from someone claiming to be a FedEx Courier Service employee, reported PTI. The caller informed him that an illegal parcel bound for Taiwan had been seized by the Customs Department and his Aadhaar card had been used to make the shipping payment of Rs 15,250. Rajput filed his complaint on July 26.

    Fraudsters Pose as DCP Crime Branch

    Shortly after, Rajput received another call on WhatsApp from someone claiming to be the DCP Crime Branch. The caller informed him that his Aadhaar card had been used in 18 different accounts linked to underworld and ‘hawala’ businesses, Rajput added in his complaint.

    Rajput Transfers Rs 5.34 Lakh to Scammers

    The caller also told Rajput that CBI and RBI officials would investigate all his accounts and that if any evidence of illegal activities was found, he could face seven to nine years of imprisonment. Fearing arrest, Rajput transferred Rs 5.34 lakh to the account shared by the fraudsters over the phone call, according to his complaint.

    Amount Refunded Within Five Days

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamirpur Bhagat Singh said the cyber crime cell acted on Rajput’s complaint and successfully had the amount refunded to his account within five days. “The police immediately freezed the accounts in which the money was deposited and further transferred, and in three days presented a copy of the complaint on the cyber portal in the court, following which the court issued an order for the release of the money on August 1,” SP Singh said, as quoted by PTI.

    Ongoing Investigations

    “I was duped by being threatened with drugs, ‘hawala,’ and underworld connections, but thanks to the prompt action of the police, I have received my money back,” Rathore said. Further investigations into the matter are ongoing, Singh added.

  • Scam Alert! Delhi Engineer Loses Rs 12 lakh In Telegram Crypto Scam

    Cryptocurrency scams rise in India, targeting social media users. Engineer Ankit Chaudhary lost Rs 12 lakh in a Telegram group scam. Delhi Police investigates and warns against online frauds.  

  • Android Users Beware: ‘Chameleon’ Malware Poses Serious Threat – Read Details |

    New Delhi: In the ever-evolving landscape of online threats, a new menace has emerged targeting Android users. Dubbed ‘Chameleon,’ this malware goes beyond the typical deceptive tactics, disguising itself as trusted apps like Google Chrome.

    The danger lies not only in its ability to breach device security but also in its sinister mission to pilfer sensitive financial data, including crucial bank account passwords. (Also Read: Bengaluru Engineer Falls Victim To Bitcoin Investment Scam; Loses 95 Lakhs)

    Recent research by ThreatFabric reveals that ‘Chameleon’ is not a newcomer; it has been circulating for approximately a year. However, recent enhancements by cybercriminals have elevated its sophistication, employing an HTML trick that easily bypasses a user’s device security, granting access to vital information. (Also Read: Home Loan Benefits For Women In India: Check What Advantage They Can Avail)

    What sets ‘Chameleon’ apart is its distribution method through Zombinder, enabling it to linger undetected while users innocently engage with everyday apps like Google Chrome. Alarmingly, this malware can effortlessly circumvent device biometrics, as highlighted in the findings by ThreatFabric.

    The potential consequences are severe. ‘Chameleon’ not only steals personal data but leverages it to gain unauthorized entry to bank accounts, leading to financial losses and compromising personal information.

    To safeguard against this threat and avoid the risk of losing both money and digital identity, users are urged to exercise extreme caution.

    The primary defense against such malware is to refrain from downloading apps and APKs from unverified sources, particularly those promising premium apps for free.

    Downloading from random websites poses long-term challenges and can result in more harm than good. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid downloading any official app from unfamiliar links or suspicious-looking websites.

    An additional layer of protection comes from enabling Google’s Play Protect, a built-in tool that significantly contributes to the safety of Android devices. By taking these precautions, users can fortify their defenses against the evolving threat landscape and ensure a safer online experience.