Residents of Visakhapatnam have fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing more than ₹32 lakh to fake customer care numbers prominently displayed on popular search engines. The elaborate scam has targeted people attempting to book hotel rooms, recharge mobile apps, or contact service centers.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
In one particularly distressing case, a 50-year-old man from Vizag planned a family trip to Tamil Nadu and searched online for Yatri Nivas in Trichy. Cyber criminals posing as hotel staff provided convincing room details and sent a QR code for payment processing. Trusting the fraudulent representatives, the victim transferred money multiple times, receiving forged receipts after each transaction.
The man eventually lost ₹3 lakh before realizing he had been systematically cheated. He subsequently approached the cybercrime police to file an official complaint about the sophisticated operation.
Police Reveal Widespread Targeting Pattern
According to police officials, cyber criminals have been specifically targeting internet users searching for contact numbers of hotels, financial institutions, insurance companies, and various service centers. The scale of the fraud has become alarmingly clear, with 30-40 victims in Vizag city alone transferring substantial amounts through multiple payment methods.
A senior police officer explained the modus operandi: "Cyber criminals create fake web pages that impersonate reputable companies, tricking people into dialing fraudulent customer service numbers. Victims unknowingly share sensitive personal information or make advance payments, making them extremely vulnerable to financial scams."
Police noted that victims typically became suspicious only when the fraudsters began demanding repeated payments for various fabricated reasons, often claiming technical issues or additional processing fees.
Essential Safety Guidelines from Authorities
Cybercrime authorities have issued crucial advisories to help citizens protect themselves from such sophisticated scams. They emphasize that genuine companies never send QR codes for advance payments, making this a significant red flag for potential fraud.
Key recommendations include:
- Always verify contact details through official websites of companies and organizations before initiating any transactions
- Avoid downloading suspicious files or clicking on unknown links sent via messaging platforms
- Double-check payment portals and ensure they are secure and legitimate
- Be cautious of customer service numbers that appear prominently in search results but don't match official company contacts
The police investigation continues as authorities work to track down the organized cyber criminal network responsible for these sophisticated scams that have cost Vizag residents substantial financial losses.
