Cyber Fraud Hits Farmers in Himachal Pradesh: Six Victims from Mandi District Scammed

In a recent alarming incident, six farmers from Gohar, a region in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, have become victims of cyber fraud. The scam unfolded over two days, with fraudsters impersonating officials and tricking the farmers into revealing crucial One-Time Passwords (OTPs). This has led to significant financial losses for the affected individuals.

How the Fraud Was Carried Out
The victims shared similar experiences where they were contacted by scammers posing as government officials. The fraudsters claimed to be assisting with applications for Kisan Credit Cards and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi schemes, two vital programs for farmers in India. They convinced the farmers to share OTPs under the guise of processing these applications, which allowed the criminals to access their bank accounts.

In one particular case, a victim who had recently accessed his Kisan Credit Card received a call from a toll-free number. After sharing the OTP as requested by the fraudsters, he was shocked to find that his entire account balance had been wiped out. Other victims, who had been added to WhatsApp groups, received a malicious link in an APK format. Once opened, the link allowed the scammers to hack into their phones and siphon off money from their accounts.

The Role of Cyber Crime Police in Recovery
Despite the distressing situation, some victims have managed to recover part of their lost funds. The Cyber Crime Police acted swiftly and were able to reverse transactions for four of the victims, returning amounts ranging from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 83,000. While this brings relief to some, the majority of the victims are still grappling with their financial losses.

Precautionary Measures: How to Protect Yourself
In light of these recent scams, the police have issued strong warnings to the public. They emphasize the importance of awareness and vigilance to prevent falling victim to such cyber frauds. The authorities have also cautioned against answering calls from international numbers often used by scammers. Numbers starting with prefixes like +94777455913 and +37127913091 are being used by fraudsters to conduct their operations. These numbers typically ring once and disconnect, hoping the recipient will call back, giving the scammers an opportunity to access personal data like banking details and credit card information.

To protect themselves, the police urge residents to avoid returning calls to unknown or international numbers. They have also recommended that anyone who receives suspicious calls or messages immediately report them to the authorities. The toll-free number 1930 is available for reporting cyber crimes, ensuring that victims can act promptly.

Raising Awareness is Key
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing menace of cyber fraud, especially targeting vulnerable sections of society like farmers. The authorities are continuing to work towards identifying the perpetrators and preventing further incidents. However, in the face of such threats, public awareness remains the most effective defense. Farmers and citizens alike are encouraged to stay alert, avoid sharing sensitive information like OTPs, and report any suspicious activities immediately to help curb the rising tide of cyber fraud.