Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) | Kerala Police on Monday warned the public against fake loan apps that lure users with fraudulent loan offers through social media, SMS and fake websites, urging people to download loan applications only from authorised sources and avoid sharing personal or banking details.
In a statement, the police said fraudsters circulate fake advertisements on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram and persuade users to download malicious APK files disguised as genuine loan applications.
Once installed, these apps gain access to contacts, SMS, call records, camera, microphone, location and storage on the victim's phone. Users are then asked to upload Aadhaar, PAN, photographs, bank account details and employment-related documents.
The fraudsters often display fake loan approval messages and, in some cases, transfer a small amount to victims' accounts to gain their confidence, police said.
They later demand payments under various pretexts, including processing fee, GST, insurance, verification charges, security deposits and account activation fee, without disbursing the promised loan.
Police said fraudsters have also been found threatening victims by morphing their photographs and claiming they would circulate them among family members and friends unless more money is paid.
The stolen KYC documents are also used to open fake bank accounts, obtain SIM cards, secure other loans and commit financial crimes, the statement said, adding that the fraudsters frequently abandon the app or website after carrying out the scam and relaunch similar operations under different names.
The police advised the public to download loan apps only through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and avail loans only from RBI-authorised institutions. People should avoid installing APK files received through links and never share Aadhaar, PAN, bank account details, OTPs, UPI PINs or CVV numbers with strangers.
Victims of cyber financial fraud should immediately report the incident through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Mumbai | In the latest case of sextortion, cyber fraudsters allegedly forced a 21-year-old student in Mumbai to pay Rs 9.30 lakh by threatening to circulate his obscene videos on social media, police said on Monday.
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where a person threatens to share private sexual images or videos of someone unless they pay money.
According to an official of Bangur Nagar police station, the complainant is a student of a reputed college. He came into contact with a woman through Snapchat in March this year. The two became friends and remained in touch.
During one of their conversations, the woman allegedly made a video call and persuaded the student to remove his clothes and send intimate videos, the official said.
The woman later used the video clips to blackmail the student. Along with an accomplice, she repeatedly demanded money, threatening to upload the videos on social media if he failed to pay.
Police said that between March and July, the victim transferred a total of Rs 9.30 lakh in 55 instalments to different bank accounts. Despite receiving the money, the accused allegedly continued to threaten and extort him.
Unable to bear the harassment any longer, the student approached the Bangur Nagar police station on Saturday and lodged a complaint.
Police registered an FIR against both accused under sections related to extortion, criminal intimidation, and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Investigators have begun tracing the accused and are collecting details of the bank accounts into which the extorted money was transferred. Further investigation is underway.
