Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 12 August 2024
Andaman and Nicobar Police have issued a public advisory following a surge in a new form of financial cyber fraud that is making the rounds on popular messaging platforms. Scammers have begun exploiting WhatsApp by sending fraudulent messages from random accounts, deceptively using the images of senior government officials as profile display pictures. These messages are designed to dupe recipients into purchasing gift cards from e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and others.
Gift cards, or gift vouchers, are prepaid stored-value cards that are often issued by retailers as an alternative to cash for use within their stores or related businesses. Scammers are leveraging these cards in their schemes, urging unsuspecting individuals to purchase them under the pretence of a request from a high-ranking official.
Andaman and Nicobar Police have released a set of guidelines to help the public safeguard themselves against these malicious activities:
1. Verify Unknown Numbers: If you receive a WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number, verify its authenticity by contacting the individual through a previously known number or by checking with mutual acquaintances.
2. Confirm Requests: If a message involves a request for money or gift cards, especially from someone claiming to be a senior official, always call and confirm the request directly with the concerned person before taking any action.
3. Beware of Urgency: Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency in their messages. Be cautious if a request seems unusually urgent, as this is a common tactic used to pressure victims into quick compliance.
4. Do Not Engage with Unknown Contacts: Refrain from responding to messages from unknown numbers on messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, etc.
5. Protect Your Privacy: Avoid sharing photos or videos online. If necessary, use privacy filters to limit access, as these images may be exploited to create fake accounts on various messaging platforms.
The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. For assistance, information, or inquiries, the Cyber Crime Police Station of Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be reached via the National Helpline at 1930 or the A&N Police Helpline at 9531856083. Additionally, citizens can visit the official cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in for further guidance.