Kolkata: From expired reward points to fake identity profiles, cybercriminals are resorting to classic fraud tactics ahead of Durga Puja, exploiting everyday transactions and social media connections to dupe citizens of vast sums.Claiming this seasonal surge in cyber fraud reflected a nationwide trend, police said Jamtara-, Dhanbad- and Asansol-based gangs, which were aware of local festivities, and Mewati gangs were behind the frauds as the “modus operandi were similar”. In one such incident reported from Middleton Street, a fraudster, posing as a banking representative, targeted a resident, claiming his reward points were expiring. The victim was directed to open a malicious link and type in a one-time password (OTP), following which the fraudster used the target’s credit card to take away Rs 3.7 lakh.Social media impersonation has also re-emerged as a major threat. In Beleghata, a scammer created a duplicate Facebook profile, that of an acquaintance of a victim, messaged the victim and made him digitally transfer Rs 1 lakh by scanning a QR code. The victim executed two transactions of Rs 50,000 each, police said.In a far larger operation involving an old but simpler modus operandi, an impostor claiming to be a senior bank officer engaged in a coordinated conspiracy to target a resident. The scammer persuaded the person to disclose banking credentials and card details under the guise of official verification. Relying on the compromised information, the perpetrator siphoned off Rs 1 crore from the target’s multiple savings and credit accounts at various branches.Even as cops registered cases under BNS for cheating by impersonation, fraud and cybercrime, cyber cell officers urged the public to remain vigilant, especially during the festive period, cautioning citizens against sharing OTPs, clicking on unknown links or transferring money, based on unverified requests.The detective department cyber cell also cautioned against rising to the bait of fake food coupons, using the names of trusted bakeries at New Market, biryani joints at Park Circus, and popular Chinese and pizza chains, and fake offers on delivery apps. “As your hard-earned money is involved, always cross-check the websites and wallets where you are transferring your money. Do not trust random callers. Talk directly to bank officials, and visit them if possible, instead of trusting the booking that you made online,” said a cyber cell officer in Lalbazar.
