Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 02 September 2023
Financial fraud continues to pose a significant threat to individuals, families, and organisations across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In a resolute effort to combat this menace, the A&N Police has been steadfastly implementing proactive measures and conducting thorough investigations, bolstered by collaboration with various stakeholders.
During the year 2023, the A&N Police’s Cyber Cell successfully intercepted a sum of Rs. 9,91,690/- while it was en route to fraudsters, effectively safeguarding the financial interests of victims targeted by cyber criminals. The authorities managed to halt the fraudulent transactions, keeping the money securely within the bank.
This significant milestone underscores the A&N Police’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served in cases of financial fraud. They have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution when conducting financial transactions, especially in the online sphere, to prevent such losses.
The A&N Police have issued the following precautions to help the general public protect themselves from online financial fraud:
1. Never share your Banking password, OTP (one-time password), or Debit/Credit Card details with others.
2. Avoid scanning QR codes when receiving money; they are only used for transferring money to other accounts.
3. Stay vigilant against phishing scams designed to steal your Banking or UPI information. Be wary of fake emails and websites that attempt to collect your sensitive data, and do not click on unknown or unfamiliar links.
4. Always use well-known websites for online shopping rather than relying on search engine results, which can lead to malicious websites.
5. Exercise caution with advertisements and deals promising easy money or low-risk investments. If an offer appears too good to be true, it is likely a scam.
6. Beware of fake loan apps offering quick and easy loans. These illicit apps often request a variety of information and permissions from applicants, which can later be misused for blackmail. Ensure that any digital loan app you use is authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
In the unfortunate event that you become a victim of financial fraud, the A&N Police encourage you to contact their Cyber Helpline at 1930 or register your complaints on www.cybercrime.gov.in. By remaining vigilant and following these guidelines, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling prey to cybercriminals and protect their financial well-being.