Ahmedabad: Cybercrime police warned people about fake messages claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi was offering Rs 8,000 in Diwali cash assistance, cautioning that clicking on the accompanying links could lead to WhatsApp account hacking and theft of banking information.Cyberfraudsters are circulating these messages on social media platforms, exploiting the festive season and the promise of easy money to trick people into downloading malicious mobile applications, Ahmedabad cybercrime police said in a press release. “The fraudulent messages claim the Prime Minister is offering citizens Rs 8,000 on the occasion of Diwali. Upon clicking on the link, users are directed to a fake website, which claims that their mobile number has been selected for the cash benefit,” the press release states.People are then asked to forward the message to five WhatsApp or Telegram groups or 20 friends to spread the malicious link further. Next, users are asked to enter their mobile number to claim the purported amount, the release said. “An eight-digit connection code then appears on the screen, and users are instructed to enter it under ‘linked devices’ on WhatsApp,” it said.Once the code is entered, fraudsters gain access to the victim’s WhatsApp account by linking it to an unauthorised device, police said. “The scammers subsequently lure users into downloading malicious Android application package (.apk) files under the pretext of completing a PhonePe cash withdrawal or receiving the promised amount. Once such an APK file is installed, hackers can gain access to SMS messages, OTPs, banking applications and other mobile data,” the press release said.Police added that it creates a very high risk of money being siphoned off from bank accounts. DCP (cybercrime) Lavina Sinha said the scam could also involve fake gaming applications or payment links that prompt users to download APK files and compromise their devices.Sinha said the Diwali bonus message is fake and no such govt scheme existed or had been announced.“Fraudsters exploit festivals and events to target people by promising immediate financial benefits. Similar scams could emerge during other festivals, cricket matches, concerts and after new govt schemes are introduced,” Sinha said.She advised people to verify govt welfare schemes only through official websites or govt offices and never share banking credentials, passwords or OTPs through unverified links or applications.Cybercrime police urged citizens not to forward such messages or click on unknown links. It also advised WhatsApp users not to enter connection codes under the ‘linked devices’ option at the instruction of unknown websites or persons.“Those who have inadvertently linked an unknown device should immediately log out of it. Telegram users have been advised to activate two-step verification and check active sessions to remove unauthorised devices,” the release said. Police also cautioned users against downloading .apk files from unofficial sources and advised them to cancel any download if their phones displayed a warning that the file could be harmful.
