Hyderabad: Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) warned citizens against fraudulent WhatsApp messages circulating in the name of the Prime Minister, falsely claiming that the Centre was providing a purported ‘Rs 8,000 Diwali cash benefit’ for everyone. Police warned against clicking on the suspicious website link contained in the messages.
TGCSB director Shikha Goel said the message was designed to mislead people by exploiting the festive season and creating the impression of an official government scheme. Such suspicious links may lead users to fraudulent websites that attempt to collect personal and banking information, facilitate unauthorised UPI transactions, or expose devices to malicious software, Goel said.
“The public is advised not to believe, click on or forward such unverified messages,” Goel said. “The authenticity of any government cash-benefit scheme should be confirmed through official government websites and verified announcements.”
Net users should avoid forwarding such messages, as doing so may expose others to cyberfraud. Anyone who has clicked on a suspicious link should avoid entering further information and take appropriate steps to secure their accounts and device, she cautioned. If an unauthorised financial transaction has occurred, the victim should immediately contact their bank and report the incident by calling 1930 or lodging a complaint through www.cybercrime.gov.in.
The TGCSB advises citizens never to disclose OTPs, UPI PINs, passwords, bank account details or other sensitive information on unverified websites. People should not pay any fee or provide banking credentials to claim a benefit advertised through unsolicited messages.
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