Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Conmen allegedly duped 11 people of Rs 2.24 lakh by hacking their social media accounts in a few months. In most cases, the social media accounts were recovered and some cash was returned to the complainants.
Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya told Free Press that 11 complaints were received in which conmen had hacked the social media accounts and took money through them using different excuses. In one case, a woman received messages from her daughter’s mobile number. It was mentioned in the messages that the daughter needed money for some medical emergency.
The woman, seeing her daughter’s mobile number, transferred money without verifying it. Later, she realised that her daughter’s WhatsApp account had been hacked by online fraudsters. In another complaint, one Vinay received a message from his friend’s social media account. The conman took the money after sending him messages of profit in share trading.
Another man, Rajaram, received a message from his friend’s social media account that he needed money due to some medical emergency. Rajaram transferred money but later he realised it was online fraud. In this way, 11 people were duped of Rs 2.24 lakh by the conmen.
CYBER ADVISORY
The crime branch officials have issued an advisory to make people aware of such online frauds:
* Do not download any software through any link received on the social media accounts.
* Do not forward the unknown links/apk files to other groups.
* Use two-step verification on social media accounts to avoid online fraud.
* Unless it is necessary, keep social media account profile photos and status settings as ‘only friend’, do not make it ‘public’.
* If social media accounts are hacked, first disable call forwarding settings and if any apk software is installed, delete the same immediately or reset the mobile.
* No matter how much hurry you are in, read the OTP message carefully and do not share it.
* If friends on social media ask for money, citing an emergency in their messages, do not transfer money without verifying it.
* In case of online fraud and social media hacking, inform the same on the NCRP portal or toll-free number 1930 or lodge a complaint on the cyber helpline number (704912–4445) operated by Indore Police.
