As employees and pensioners eagerly await the 8th Pay Commission, cyber fraudsters are targeting them. They are sending messages claiming they will receive updated salaries. These messages contain harmful files that users are warned not to download. The Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Center (I4C), which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has warned people about this scam in a post on X. It reads,

"Government employees are being informed via WhatsApp that they should download an APK file to find out their salary after the 8th Pay Commission is implemented. Once the APK is installed, access to the mobile phone goes directly to the fraudsters," the post on X reads.

What should people do?

This fraud follows a clear pattern: users receive a WhatsApp message asking them to download an APK file purportedly containing a salary calculator. If the user installs the APK file, the fraudsters immediately gain access to the user's mobile phone. This gives them access to the target's sensitive data, which they can use to withdraw money from linked bank accounts. Government officials have urged employees and pensioners to be cautious. They have strongly cautioned people that the government does not send APK files via WhatsApp and have asked them not to download them.

The government has also advised citizens to check any information related to salary revision or pension only from its official website: https://8cpc.gov.in/. All information and news regarding the 8th Pay Commission should be verified from reliable and official government sources. Users are strictly advised not to download APK files from unknown sources or click on links sent on WhatsApp/SMS from unverified numbers. Citizens should never share sensitive details such as OTP, UPI PIN, debit or credit card PIN, CVV number, bank login credentials, or WhatsApp verification code in any way. The Centre has urged people to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to prevent loss of money.

PC:DNAINDIA