HT Bangla Special On Financial Fraud: Christmas means cakes and Santa gifts. Who does not like to receive gifts? But the age of getting Santa gifts like kids is over. I was writing a report about Paush Mela thinking about these seven or five times. Suddenly a WhatsApp message from a familiar person. Amazon Gift Box Link I clicked the lure of the gift. A page like Amazon’s site opened. How many gift boxes in it – some empty, some full. There are three chances to choose the correct one. The second time I had to select a box, the iPhone came out. But there is no such easy power Joe. First, how many WhatsApp groups and contacts have to share the site link. At the same time you have to give your name and phone number in the specific place of the site. Only then will the best iPhone model arrive at my doorstep.
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Whence doubt
The site’s URL was suspicious at first. The word Amazon is not written in full. The domain is also not a known domain. Amazon’s site at all? I went to Amazon’s customer service before giving my name and phone number. Someone from the other side told me that this is a fake link after seeing the link. It has nothing to do with Amazon. Not even a company working with Amazon!
Shu-dhoo is not Christmas, but before Diwali or Diwali and other major festivals, such links circulate on WhatsApp. What is the real purpose of links if not to give gifts? What is the use of personal information? In this context Hindustan Times Bangla He spoke in detail Cyber expert Manideep Bhattacharya with
Fishing or whaling
In the words of Manideep Babu, ‘In the term of cyber crime, it was earlier called phishing. Currently called whaling. Because a special circle collects the information of many people at once. Later they are used for various fraudulent or criminal purposes. However, this method is very old fashioned. Now the pattern of cheating has changed. Let’s say you have booked a flight ticket. Fraud circles first retrieve that information from airlines or third parties. Now the cybercriminals grabbed the bank information by giving the offer to the passenger over the phone. The gang withdrew a large sum of money from the passenger’s bank while on the phone call.’
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Due to complaints on social media
Manideep Babu said that fraudsters are also targeting various incriminating posts on social media these days. In his words, ‘Recently, many people complain on social media if they don’t like the service of an app or company. Fraudsters often target these types of posts. Maybe you posted. A scammer calls you and says they want a refund. The post will be deleted. Now if you agree it will ask for your bank details to send the money. Or ask to send 10 taka to an account as account verification process. If you act according to their words, you will fall into a trap. A large amount will be debited from your account in no time. Before you know it, the account is empty.’
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Digital Arrest
Currently, when you call someone, you hear a special voice instead of ringing. Where it is said, ‘CBI, police never call anyone. This type of phone can be from fraudsters….’ The cyber expert also sounded a warning in this context. In Manideep’s words, ‘currently the so-called educated people are the most victims of digital arrest. In this case, fraudsters do a little homework. Those whose children or close relatives live abroad fall into the trap of such fraud. Scammers may call and say your relative has been hit by a car or committed a serious crime. This can lead to 10 years in jail. Hearing this, the man is getting nervous. Then another fraudster from the side is asking for money under the guise of mediation. If you give money, you will settle everything. That money is sometimes 4 lakhs and sometimes 5 lakhs! The person comes to know that he has been cheated long after making the payment.’
Deep fakes galore
So easy to believe everyone? In Manideep’s words, ‘AI is helping a lot in this case. Maybe a deepfake video is being made with that person’s photo. As a result one is forced to believe. Also, another thing is that no one wants to bring these family scandals to the public. So hide it. By the time one realizes he has been cheated, it is too late.’
Cryptocurrency is the new trap for fraudsters!
Manideep told about another new trap of fraudsters. In the words of a cyber expert, ‘Cryptocurrencies have now become a new trap for fraudsters. WazirX is a well-known cryptocurrency in India. A few days ago many people started investing money here hoping for high returns. But if you look, you will see that most of the people have found money. The invested money disappears overnight. This is mainly because RBI and SEBI have no control over the crypto market. Again this market is not illegal. As a result, the value of a coin fluctuates at will. When prices suddenly start rising, common people think they are making huge returns. Seeing that, they are keeping money. Now those who invested more amount and got the value, they are withdrawing the invested money overnight. Maybe around two or three in the morning. Ordinary people wake up early in the morning and see that their invested money will disappear completely!
Common people are also partly responsible…
Investing despite knowing that SEBI has no control. General investors are not responsible in this regard? In Manideep Babu’s words, ‘Of course, it is somewhat responsible. Because they are investing without knowing that there is no service control. As a result some people like Harshad Mehta are getting cheated. Common people should also be aware of this before investing in crypto.’
Some of the administration and organizations are involved
Recently published in the news, a person from Bangaon came to know that he already has a passport in his name. And the person who got the passport is currently abroad. That is, a fraudster has created a fake passport using the Aadhaar, voter card of the real person. Then he went straight abroad. Meanwhile the real person knows nothing. Maybe the documents are stolen from a customer service center or bank or mobile sim shop. In Manideep’s words, ‘Now the big question is, how is this passport verified? Police and administration are involved in the verification process. It is very unlikely that the face of the fraudster will match the face of the real owner of the Aadhaar card. Even then everything is getting verified. Not blocked anywhere. This means that a part of the administration is also likely to be involved in fraud in various ways.’
Someone in the organization is at the bottom…
Manideep gave another example in this context. He said, ‘If you want to buy land and house, you have to give ten fingerprints on the document. Also, many cases require such fingerprints. After the introduction of Aadhaar enabled payment system, fraudsters are withdrawing money from bank accounts by duplicating that fingerprint. Many people are being cheated like this. A few days ago, there was fraud in the name of various courier companies. Many people were getting fake phone calls from customs or customs office. It was being said that prohibited drugs were found in a parcel of the person. He will be arrested for this parcel. But he can be released if he sends money. Many are sending money out of fear. Later you realize that they have been cheated. Here too the question is how the fraudster knows that the person is supposed to receive a parcel? This information is intended to be available only to employees of the organization. It means that someone from inside is leaking such information.’
To avoid fraudsters…
In Manideep Babu’s words, ‘Whether it’s a digital arrest or a suspicious phone, fake links or online investments like crypto, keeping a few things in mind can save you from cyber fraudsters.’
- Always be careful with online transactions. No OTP or personal information can be exchanged with any unknown person.
- When you get a call from Digital Arrest, first check whether they are talking about money or not. If you claim money, try to verify the facts first. Make a decision about sending money only after verifying the authenticity.
- Investing in cryptocurrencies is more risky than the stock market. So before investing in this regard, take an expert’s advice.
- If you have been cheated for any reason, report it to the nearest police station immediately. You can also file a complaint on the cybercrime portal cybercrime.gov.in. Also complain to the bank branch.