Thiruvananthapuram: Police authorities have issued a warning advising the public against answering calls from foreign numbers on WhatsApp, citing a surge in scams targeting women. According to officials, falling prey to these calls could lead individuals into significant traps, with many instances reported of financial losses, particularly among women.
According to reports, scammers, often posing as cyber police officials, are increasingly targeting women in a new type of fraudulent scheme. While the scam is currently prevalent in northern districts, authorities suspect its gradual spread across the state. Numerous cases have been reported where victims have incurred substantial financial losses amounting to lakhs of rupees.
The modus operandi typically involves contacting girls via WhatsApp, initiating voice calls that persistently ring until answered. Once the call is picked up, perpetrators will swiftly set the trap by saying that surveillance was there over the victim’s device and alleging that they detected illicit activities such as watching pornography or visiting questionable websites. Exploiting fear and vulnerability, the scammers then fabricate allegations of criminal activity, threatening legal consequences and summoning the victim for questioning while simultaneously informing them that their parents will be notified.
In a bid to resolve the fabricated allegations swiftly, the fraudsters demand substantial sums of cash. Despite numerous victims falling prey to this scam, they were reluctant to report incidents out of fear of social embarrassment. Individuals encountering such calls are strongly advised to reach out to the police via the toll-free number 1090 for immediate assistance and intervention.
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