Udupi, August 12, 2025: The Udupi District Police have initiated a robust campaign to raise awareness about cybercrimes and urge the public to exercise caution against rising digital frauds. The police have highlighted various methods used by cybercriminals, including digital arrest scams, fake share market trading apps, online job scams, bogus customer care services, fraudulent loan apps, gift and lottery scams, and APK file frauds.
Common Cybercrime Tactics
- Digital Arrest Scams: Fraudsters impersonate officials from agencies like the CBI, Customs, or Police, contacting victims via phone or video calls. They claim illegal items like drugs, fake passports, or SIM cards linked to the victim’s name were found in a courier at an airport, using uniforms in video calls to extort money. Legitimate police do not conduct investigations via such calls.
- Fake Share Market and Trading Apps: Scammers lure victims with unregistered apps lacking RBI/SEBI approval through WhatsApp or Telegram groups, encouraging downloads and transfers to multiple bank accounts, leading to financial losses.
- Online Job Scams: Fraudsters offer small tasks with minimal payments to gain trust, then pressure victims to invest large sums, ultimately stealing their money.
- Fake Customer Care Numbers: Victims searching for customer care numbers for apps like Google Pay or PhonePe are tricked into calling fake numbers found online, where scammers request links, UPI PINs, or messages to steal funds. Genuine customer care services do not ask for such details.
- Fraudulent Loan Apps: Scammers promise low-interest loans but demand upfront payments. If refused, they threaten to manipulate victims’ photos and share them on social media. These apps lack government authorization.
- OLX and Similar Platform Scams: Fraudsters pose as Indian Army personnel, offering vehicles at low prices on platforms like OLX or Quikr, demanding advance payments and claiming vehicles are at undisclosed locations.
- Gift and Lottery Scams: Victims are misled with promises of winning gifts or lotteries via social media, asked to pay advance fees, leading to financial fraud.
- APK File Fraud: Scammers send APK files under schemes like PM Kisan, Arogya Bhagy, or banking services via WhatsApp, misusing apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Flipkart to steal personal data.
- Fake Online Gaming Apps: Promoted through celebrity ads or platforms like YouTube and TikTok, these apps entice victims with quick earnings, pressuring investments and freezing bank accounts.
- Other Methods:
- Unknown Links: Clicking suspicious links leads to theft of personal information.
- Fake Ads: Attractive offers on social media result in financial scams.
- Courier/Lottery Scams: Fraudsters claim victims won prizes via courier, demanding advance payments.
- Fake Helplines: Fake customer service numbers or emails found on Google steal sensitive data.
- Mobile/Laptop Misuse: Sharing devices with strangers or charging at public places like railway or bus stations risks data leaks.
- KYC Update Scams: Fraudsters posing as bank officials request ATM/credit card details for KYC updates, leading to unauthorized transactions.
- Electricity Bill Scams: Fake apps for bill payments steal bank details.
- Enticing Messages: Alluring messages from unknown sources lead to financial losses.
- Social Media Friendships: Fake friendships on platforms like Facebook or Instagram are used to extract personal information.
- ATM/Credit Card Scams: Fraudsters posing as bank managers request card details for activation or renewal, leading to theft.
Police Advisory
The Udupi District Police have issued the following precautions:
- Do not click on unknown links or engage with suspicious messages.
- Avoid falling for fake advertisements promising unrealistic returns.
- Protect personal information in public places to prevent data leaks.
- Report cybercrime immediately by calling the Cybercrime Helpline: 1930, filing a complaint at https://cybercrime.gov.in, or visiting the nearest police station.
- Emergency Police Helpline: 112.
The police urge residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly to curb the rising tide of cybercrimes in the region.
