Sambalpur: Cyber Crime on the Rise in Sambalpur; Cyber Criminals Defrauding People with Fake Credit Messages

Sambalpur: Planning a trip to Puri or any tourist spot? If you’re booking hotels through Facebook or unknown websites instead of verified apps, you need to be careful. Many tourists have reached their destinations only to discover that their hotel bookings were fake, and their money was lost.

Fake Booking Websites Are Everywhere

Fake websites are now common. These sites trap unsuspecting customers and steal their hard-earned money. Moreover, many people are also falling for beauty product ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram. They get attracted, make quick bookings, and lose money without verifying if the site is genuine.

Fake Products and Lost Money

In many cases, the products delivered are either old or counterfeit. Cybercrime is increasing rapidly in Sambalpur. Every month, around 30 to 60 people call the helpline number 1930 to report such cases. However, many victims don’t report the crime, either to the helpline or the police. As a result, the true number of cases remains unknown.

Lack of Awareness Driving Cybercrime

Officials at the cyber police station often say that carelessness and lack of awareness are the main reasons behind rising cybercrimes. A new scam is also surfacing now people receive a message saying money was mistakenly sent to them via PhonePe. Then, someone calls and politely requests the money to be returned.

Don’t Fall for Fake Refund Requests

In such situations, never trust the caller blindly. First, verify if the money was actually credited to your account. Nowadays, scammers pose as family members or close friends and send fake messages to trick people into transferring money. Shopkeepers are frequent targets of these scams. Many ignore these small frauds and don’t even report them.

Dangerous File Links and Fake Investment Traps

Clicking on suspicious APK files is risky. These files may steal sensitive data and bank details from your phone. On Telegram, people are also falling for fake investment schemes. Initially, the victims receive small profits, but later they are trapped and lose everything.

IPL and Online Gaming Fraud

With the IPL season ongoing, many are busy with online gaming apps that promise cash rewards. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of this and stealing money through such platforms. Police have warned the public about these tactics.

Sextortion Case Surfaces

Recently, a man from Rengali block received a video call from an unknown woman. During the call, she posed indecently and recorded a screenshot. She later began blackmailing him. Since the victim did not file a complaint with the cyber police, no investigation was carried out.

Be Alert, Stay Safe

Cybercrime is evolving with new tricks every day. Always double-check before making online transactions, and avoid trusting unknown people on the internet. For any suspected fraud, contact the cybercrime helpline 1930 immediately.