Got added to suspicious WhatsApp, Telegram groups? Beware of this fraud!

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If you are being added to any Telegram or WhatsApp group promising part-time jobs or receiving share trading advice be cautious!

Messaging apps and social media platforms have become hubs for cyber scams. Cyber scammers lure people into investment in the stock market by adding them to groups on messaging apps. They lure people into part-time job scams by asking them to like videos on YouTube or write reviews on fake apps.

Such frauds are on the rise, as evidently seen in Noida city. According to Noida Police’s data, cyber fraudsters have duped hundreds of people in the city over the past 8 months. Victims lost more than 56 crores in these fraud cases. Investment-related scams accounted for 80% of these cases. Additionally, part-time job frauds, social engineering frauds and extortion/sextortion cases were most prevalent.

To avoid falling victim to such cyber scams, it is essential to understand these frauds and their modus operandi.

Investment Fraud

Here, cyber criminals contact people on social media platforms. They entice them with high returns and ask them to invest by sending money to different bank accounts. They often ask people to download online apps as well. When you check your account on the app, it appears that your investment is growing. However, when you try to withdraw your money, you realize that you cannot withdraw it at all.

Part-time Job Scams

People are contacted on social media platforms in this case as well. They are then added to WhatsApp or Telegram groups under the pretext of work from home opportunities. Initially, to gain people’s trust, scammers even pay them some money. Later, they are asked to send some money to receive their due payment, citing various rules. As soon as people send money, the scammers disappear.

Digital Arrest Scam

In this scam, cyber fraudsters mislead victims. They pose as officials from police, CBI, customs department, or other investigation agencies. They tell people that one of their parcel has been caught due to illegal connections and inorder to release it, they need to send money.

You then get a call on Skype. The gang of scammers calls from a studio where the agency’s logo is also visible in the background. This makes people anxious, and out of fear, they end up giving away their money.

Social Engineering Fraud

Hackers deceive people into revealing their personal information. Cyber fraudsters tell people that they are from a legitimate institution, agency, or company. They gather sensitive personal details like banking, credit/debit card details, and passwords.

Fraudsters contact via email or message promising a lottery, reward, or prize. They ask you to click on a link. Subsequently, through a malware attack, they steal private information from your device and carry out fraud.

How to stay vigilant?

Do not trust calls or messages from unknown numbers. Never click on any unknown link. If someone threatens legal action over the phone, ask a hundred questions back. They will panic themselves. In case of an agency, contact them directly to cross-verify such calls. Do not fall for work-from-home schemes. Liking videos doesn’t lead to employment. Seek advice from a financial advisor for investments. Use trusted investment apps only.

By keeping these points in mind, you can avoid falling victim to such scams.