Hyderabad: Fraudsters cheat people on pretext of COVID-19

Hyderabad: The scare of coronavirus is taking a toll on citizens, but it's also giving an undue advantage to the online fraudsters who are on a prowl to elk out easy money.

An Inspector of CCS, on condition of anonymity said that, they have received two complaints from persons about losing their money to fraudsters.

Elaborating further, the officer noted, "The online fraudsters who are always on a lookout for gullible people are taking advantage of the COVID-19, contacting them and narrating that one of their relative or friend is infected with the virus and needs immediate treatment.

Trusting the words of these fraudsters, the gullible people have transferred the money."

People who have lodged a complaint with us said that, they never realised that it was a call from a fraudster. These days many social service organisations and volunteers also call people to help them with charity.

Believing it to be one of a kind, they transferred the money but realised it later, that their money did not reach the right destination, because the caller had promised the victims to send the entire medical history of the patient via Whatsapp, but they never received any such confirmation after transferring the money, said the officer.

He stated, "As it happened in western countries, the fraudsters here, might also target the gullible by sending them phishing emails.

The online fraudsters sent malicious links and PDF's to different persons by claiming that, once they click on the link they can get step-by-step procedure to help the needy.

If the person follows the instructions believing that he is really transferring the money for good, then he is about to get cheated."

He further added, "Though the amount transferred was less but the incidents which have come to light are enough to conclude that online fraudsters are active to loot people on the pretext of virus.

So, it's requested to the common public to not respond to any such calls and emails. However, cases under respective sections have been booked and the matter is being investigated."