Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 October 2024
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Department has issued a public advisory amid a troubling rise in fraudulent activities targeting individuals through calls on platforms like WhatsApp. These scammers are posing as representatives from law enforcement agencies, including the CID and the CBI, employing deceptive tactics to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
Recent reports indicate that fraudsters are falsely claiming that individuals’ children have been implicated in serious legal issues, such as rape, abetment to suicide, and drug-related offences. Exploiting the emotional vulnerability of parents, these callers demand bribes for the release of their children. Alarmingly, there have also been instances where these fraudsters have made claims of college students been kidnapped, followed by ransom demands.
The fraudulent calls typically originate from numbers with the country code +92. In light of this, the police strongly advise the public to refrain from responding to such calls and to exercise caution when receiving international WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers.
To combat this growing threat, the Andaman and Nicobar Police urge citizens to take the following proactive measures:
1. Stay Vigilant: Be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, especially from unknown international numbers.
2. Do Not Engage: Avoid any interaction with individuals claiming to be from law enforcement agencies who ask for money or personal information over the phone.
3. Report Fraud: Utilize the ‘Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ feature available on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in) to report any fraudulent activities.
4. Verify Mobile Connections: Regularly check and verify mobile connections associated with your name using the ‘Know Your Mobile Connections’ feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal. Report any unauthorised connections immediately.
5. Use Privacy Settings: Adjust WhatsApp settings by navigating to Privacy > Calls > Silence Unknown Callers to help filter unwanted calls.
6. Verify Distress Calls: Always confirm with your children, relatives, or friends directly on their mobile numbers if they are reported to be in distress.
Andaman and Nicobar Police stress the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive to safeguard oneself and loved ones against these fraudulent activities. By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, the community can work together to combat cybercrime and enhance safety and security.
For assistance, information, or inquiries, please contact the Cyber Crime Police Station in A&N Islands via the National Helpline No. 1930 or the A&N Police Helpline No. 9531856083, or visit cybercrime.gov.in.