The Cyber Crime Unit Hyderabad warned citizens to stay on the rise against the increase in fraud online, as fraudsters use Diwali’s rush with fake websites, phishing links and fraudulent ads promising deep discounts on gadgets and gifts.
According to police, cybernetic criminals use deceptive tactics such as false electronic trade portals, malicious APK files, and fake social media advertising to make unsuspecting users to share personal and banking data. Many victims reportedly suffered severe financial losses after falling on these digital traps.
One of the common methods includes fraudsters of linking links through WhatsApp, SMS, Facebook, Instagram and Telegram, which claims to offer festival discounts or rewards. Once the victims have downloaded the connected APK files or open phishing pages, malware is installed on their phones, providing fraudsters access to banking credentials, OTP and stored personal data.
In another variant, fraudsters send messages that announce that the recipient “won the Diwali gift” or “exclusive festive reward” and then demanded a small fee for processing or GST payments to win the price. The victims they follow often lose a huge amount of money.
Meanwhile, the 29 -year -old Secunderab woman has recently lost 1,40,000 GBP after the scammers were cheated as a shopping website manager named Fashor. The caller, who quoted her past purchases, told her that she was included in the narrower selection for the Diwali special gift offer and convinced her to make several payments under the pretext of sending and tax fees for the iPhone 13 that never came.
In another case, the 69 -year -old Azampura 1 02 194 GBP lost after he called the false customer care number to blink on Google. The fraudsters sent him an apk link via WhatsApp and ordered him to install it. As soon as he did, they got remote access to his and his family’s phones and exhausted money from their bank accounts.
The police said many citizens fall on such fraud by trusting visually attractive online commercials, downloading unverified applications, making preliminary payments to unknown sellers, or sharing sensitive financial information without verification.
Citizens were advised to avoid installing applications from unknown sources, verify shopping sites before making payments, and delaying clicking on suspicious links, or responding to messages offering gifts or rewards. The authorization of two -factor verification for banking and electronic trading accounts can also provide another layer of protection.
In the case of any cyber fraud, the police urged the victims to immediately contact the National Cyber Crime, 1930, or complaint at www.Cybercrime.gov.in. Immediate reports, said, increases the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and minimize financial losses.
Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said that citizens must buy online during the festive season and remain alert against offers that seem too good to be true.
Published – October 15, 2025 20:14
