Over ₹20 Crore Lost in 100 Cyber Fraud Cases This Year

Visakhapatnam city police have issued an advisory to caution the public against a surge in cyber fraud cases. Unidentified fraudsters have been exploiting various schemes, including fake courier calls, TRAI orders, and credit card bill payments, to deceive victims.

This year, the city cybercrime police have already received around 100 such cases, with total losses exceeding ₹20 crore.

Credit Card Payment Scams

Fraudsters often pose as bank staff, claiming that the victim has an outstanding credit card payment. When the victim denies having a credit card or insists the bill has been paid, the call is redirected to another scammer who verifies the victim's mobile number and Aadhaar number. They then falsely claim that a person in Mumbai is using a credit card under the victim's name for illegal transactions, instilling fear and confusion.

Medical Lab Scams

Some scammers target medical lab personnel by pretending to be representatives from the Army. They request medical tests for 30 to 50 Army personnel and make video calls to build trust before asking for money from the lab owners.

TRAI Scams

In another scam, fraudsters impersonate officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). They claim that a phone number taken using the victim's Aadhaar details was used to contact terrorist groups. After gaining the victim's trust, they request money.

Courier Scams

Courier scams are also prevalent, with fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials. They call victims, claiming that a parcel booked in their name contains unauthorized materials such as fake passports, narcotics, or ammunition. When the victim panics, the scammers demand money to be transferred to fake Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accounts.

Recent Trends and Advisory

Inspector Bhavani Prasad from the cybercrime police station noted that while courier scams, commonly known as FedEx scams, were initially more common, increased public awareness has led fraudsters to adopt new methods. Their primary tactic is to instill fear by linking victims' credit cards, phone numbers, or courier packages to illegal activities.

In a recent incident, a city resident lost ₹3.75 crore in a TRAI-related scam. Inspector Prasad urges the public to remain vigilant, not to trust suspicious calls, and to contact the police if they receive any dubious phone calls.

"People can approach us if they receive any suspicious phone call. Do not believe fraud calls and send money to anyone," advised Inspector Prasad.

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