The cybercrime cell attached to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police has issued an alert against possible scam calls on WhatsApp from international numbers. The advisory states that it has been detected that people are receiving unknown calls from international numbers starting with +84, +62, +60 and +92 and are being tricked by cybercriminals.
The ISD codes indicate that WhatsApp users receive calls randomly from countries such as Malaysia, Kenya, Vietnam and Ethiopia.
Do not click on any link or message.
Apart from advising people not to receive calls, the cybercrime cell has also warned against clicking on any message or link they may receive from unknown callers as they may contain dangerous malware to steal essential data, which can be used to commit fraud—monetary transactions from your bank accounts or digital wallets.
The advisory further states that people should enable two-step verification in their WhatsApp settings and never share One Time Password (OTP) or other personal information with unknown callers.
Warning to be careful during online transactions, the police appealed to the citizens to use the dedicated helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in to report any cybercrime.
Mumbai Cyber Safe
According to Cyber Crime Cell under the Crime Branch of Mumbai Police, the most common form of online fraud is related to banks, and online commerce platforms, where fraudsters, posing as bank/platform officials, trick the victim into sharing OTP and KYC updates. Persuade for and sometimes send them. One has to click on the link to access the bank accounts.
People should know that no bank or institution is authorized to ask for bank details or PINs. Unfortunately, educated people are falling prey to online frauds and losing lakhs of rupees, explained DCP Cybercrime, Balsingh Rajput.
