These days cyber criminals are targeting the elderly in the name of electricity bill payment. A retired forest worker from Jamui, Bihar was cheated by sending fake calls and links, in which he lost Rs 10 lakh. The fraudsters call themselves employees of the electricity board and steal bank details through fake links. Read the full news about this network of fraud.

Cyber Fraud via Electricity Bill: These days cyber criminals are looting the hard earned money of common people in the name of electricity bill or utility bill. Fraudsters scare people by sending fake messages, calls or emails. People are told that the bill is pending and if the payment is not made immediately, the connection will be cut. They steal bank details by sending fake links. Cyber thieves call themselves employees of the electricity board. Also, they ask to click on the link sent in the name of electricity bill update, and this is where the fraud begins. Often fraudsters target the elderly in such frauds.

What is the modus operandi of fraud?

Cyber criminals commit fraud by sending fake messages or emails in the name of the electricity board, which threaten to cut off the outstanding bill or connection. Clicking on the link given in these can lead to theft of bank details. According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, on May 31, an unknown person called a retired forest worker from Jamui, Bihar, and introduced himself as R.K. Mishra, an employee of the electric office. He said that the victim's electricity bill has not been updated for two months. He asked to send only Rs 10 for correction. For this, a fake link and electricity bill document was sent to his mobile. As soon as the old man clicked on that link, his phone started heating up and then got damaged.

After getting the phone repaired, when he checked his bank account, he found that more than Rs 10 lakh was missing. Not only this, the fraudsters create fake websites that look like the official website, where personal information is stolen upon logging in. Also, by scanning the fake QR code, the money goes into the fraudster's account.

How to avoid fraud?

• Always pay bill from official electricity board website/app or authorized centre.
• Do not trust unknown links, calls or messages.
• Always verify the bill information from the customer care or office of the electricity board.
• Immediately report any suspicious activity to the police or cyber cell.

Take these steps after being cheated?

If you are cheated by a cyber criminal, first of all complain on the national helpline number 1930 and also report on the Government of India website cybercrime.gov.in. This increases the possibility that you can get back the lost money. Beware of cyber criminals, be cautious.

PC:Money9