Scammers are taking advantage of the excitement surrounding the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. They send messages offering ‘prasad’ from the sacred event with payment links, aiming to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
Caution is advised to avoid clicking on such links, as these fraudsters exploit the opportunity to gain access to linked bank accounts.
Additionally, some groups employ a similar tactic, enticing people with offers like phone recharge. Stay vigilant and avoid falling for these deceptive practices.
Exploiting the heightened enthusiasm around the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, cyber scammers are employing deceptive tactics. Be cautious if you get a message offering ‘prasad’ with a payment link, and refrain from clicking to avoid potential scams.
Scammers adopt a method of sending messages to random numbers, promising the delivery of ‘prasad’ from Ayodhya. When users click the provided link, they are prompted to input their details.
Upon entering phone numbers, fraudsters swiftly gain access to linked bank accounts, completing the fund-siphoning process in mere seconds, as reported by the police. Stay cautious to avoid falling victim to such schemes.
Devious groups are even enticing people with offers like phone recharge, using a similar modus operandi to gain unauthorized access to bank accounts.
A city police officer cautioned, “Hardly any religious organization or institution delivers prasad like this. If anyone comes across such messages, please ignore them and don’t click on any links.”
Authorities encourage individuals to promptly report such incidents through the national cyber helpline at 1930 or the website cybercrime.gov.in.
This ensures swift action against cyber scams and helps protect others from falling victim to fraudulent activities.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has served a show-cause notice to Amazon Seller Services, the operator of the e-commerce giant’s India marketplace.
Dated January 19, the notice pertains to selling food products under the name ‘Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad’ on the platform. Amazon has a seven-day window to respond, and potential legal action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, looms if satisfactory explanations are not provided.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust clarified that guests at the inauguration of Ram Mandir on January 22 will receive ‘Ramraj’ and laddu prasad.
‘Ramraj’ includes soil from the temple’s foundation. However, the Trust emphasizes there’s no provision for online delivery of Prasad.
This isn’t the first instance of cyber fraudsters exploiting events; during the COVID pandemic, scammers preyed on individuals by promising booster vaccine shots, medicines, doctor consultations, and oxygen cylinders, taking advantage of the crisis. Stay vigilant against such deceptive practices.
Faridabad Police Chief Rakesh Kumar Arya stressed that fraudsters exploit relevant events or situations to target victims, citing examples from the Covid pandemic, including fraudulent appeals for PM Cares fund donations and false promises about oxygen cylinder availability.
An officer from the Cyber Police Station emphasized the importance of awareness to protect against cyber fraud. He urged people not to trust messages or calls blindly and emphasized verifying payment gateways before proceeding. Stay vigilant to safeguard against these online threats.
In conclusion, the surge in cyber scams surrounding events like the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya serves as a stark reminder of the opportunistic nature of fraudsters.
From false promises of ‘prasad’ deliveries to exploiting crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, criminals continually adapt their tactics. Authorities, including the Central Consumer Protection Authority and local police forces, are taking steps to address these issues.
However, individual vigilance remains paramount. Heightened awareness, skepticism towards unsolicited messages, and thorough verification of online transactions can collectively serve as effective shields against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Stay informed, stay cautious, and actively contribute to building a safer digital environment.
