Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 18 July 2024
Andaman and Nicobar Police have issued a stern warning to residents about a recent surge in smishing attacks, a type of cyber fraud where criminals send deceptive text messages to trick victims into divulging personal and banking information. The latest campaign exploits concerns over unpaid electricity bills, posing a significant threat to the community.
Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent SMS messages claiming to be from legitimate electricity providers. These messages typically read: “Your Electricity Power will be disconnected tonight at 9:30 pm because your previous month bill was not updated. Please immediately contact our electricity officer at 9898XXXXXX.” Once the victim contacts the number provided, the fraudster persuades them to share bank account details to “verify” previous payments. This ruse often results in the victim unwittingly granting access to their financial information.
How the Scam Operates:
1. Deceptive Messages: Victims receive alarming texts about imminent disconnection of their electricity supply due to unpaid bills.
2. Caller ID Spoofing: The messages appear to come from trusted or local sources, enhancing their credibility.
3. Information Extraction: On contacting the provided number, victims are coerced into revealing sensitive bank details.
4. Remote Access: Fraudsters may instruct victims to install remote access applications like Anydesk or TeamViewer, allowing them to control the victim’s device and conduct fraudulent transactions.
Safety Advisory Issued by Andaman and Nicobar Police:
To protect against these scams, the Andaman and Nicobar Police recommend the following precautions:
–Limit Sharing Personal Information: Do not share your phone number unless you are certain of the recipient’s identity and trustworthiness.
-Be Wary of Caller ID Spoofing: Recognise that fraudsters can manipulate caller ID to make messages appear from familiar sources.
– Avoid Unofficial Downloads: Only download software from official, verified sources and remove any non-essential applications.
– Guard Personal Data: Refrain from providing personal or financial information in response to unsolicited texts or websites linked from such messages.
– Do Not Click on Suspicious Links: These links could install malware on your device or redirect you to malicious websites.
Reporting and Assistance:
Residents are encouraged to report any smishing incidents via the cybercrime.gov.in portal. For additional information and safety tips, follow @CyberDost on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Public, Koo, and LinkedIn.
For assistance, information, or inquiries, contact the Cyber Crime Police Station, A&N Islands, via Cyber Helpline No. 1930 or 9531856083, or visit cybercrime.gov.in.
Andaman and Nicobar Police urge the public to stay vigilant and adopt these safety measures to safeguard against cyber fraud.