Assam police on Monday issued an advisory for the region’s citizens as cybercrime is spreading rapidly throughout the entire country. Based on impersonation attacks, fraudsters obtain information from the official website of a specific organization/department about that organization/personnel department’s or they acquire unauthorized access to a senior functionary’s contact list.
The fraudster then uses the name and photo of the senior officer, political executive, or constitutional authority of that organisation or department that was taken from any websites, social networking sites, email, message app, etc., to deceive the subordinates.
On the pretext that he is attending a crucial meeting and is unable to make or take calls, the fraudster begins sending emails and Whatsapp messages to a select group of subordinates on the list, pleading with them to buy Amazon gift cards for him or transfer money by providing a link. These WhatsApp messages will feature the senior officer’s or authority’s photo as the DP. Avoid being a victim of such emails or communications, the statement read.
Before making any payments, purchases, or clicking on the links, please confirm with your higher official. If you ever receive any such WhatsApp messages, please keep the screenshots for further research and report the number directly to WhatsApp by selecting the Report option. You can also make a complaint by including the screenshots on the website cybercrime.gov.in. A few prominent IAS and IPS personnel, the Chief Minister of a NE state, the Chief Secretary of a NE state, and senior constitutional authorities’ photographs were used in this MO recently.
