Cyber Scammers Impersonating Interpol and CBI Officials Targeting Pune Residents, Warns Police

Pune city police have raised an alert flagging cyber fraudsters masquerading as representatives from esteemed agencies like the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). These imposters have been identified for orchestrating online scams with the intention of deceiving unsuspecting individuals.

In an official statement released on Friday, Pune authorities urged the public to remain vigilant against a spectrum of online fraudulent activities including “trading fraud, task fraud, FedEx fraud, a man in the middle fraud, Facebook (FB) friend request fraud, matrimony fraud, sextortion, and loan app fraud.”

The police highlighted a disturbing trend wherein cyber criminals are increasingly exploiting the reputations of law enforcement agencies, such as Interpol, IB, and CBI, to carry out their nefarious schemes. Operating through various social media platforms, these fraudsters initiate contact with potential victims under the guise of official authority.

Typically, the modus operandi involves sending fabricated documents to individuals, accompanied by threats of legal consequences if demands are not met. Victims are coerced into transferring substantial sums of money to designated bank accounts, only to find themselves duped as the funds are promptly embezzled by the scammers.

Moreover, in a sinister twist, perpetrators are known to dispatch links via mobile devices, purportedly for benign tasks such as updating KYC details, settling utility bills, making travel arrangements, hotel reservations, or canceling courier services. However, once unsuspecting individuals interact with these fraudulent links and provide sensitive information, their bank accounts are swiftly drained of funds.

To combat this alarming trend, law enforcement authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution and refrain from making any online payments without diligent verification. Furthermore, individuals are advised to be wary of suspicious emails and phone calls, promptly reporting any instances of cyber fraud to the nearest cyber police station or helpline numbers such as 020 – 297710097, 7058719371, or 1930.

For those who fall victim to such scams, authorities have stressed the importance of promptly reporting incidents either through the official website ‘cybercrime.gov.in‘ or by contacting relevant authorities. It is only through collective vigilance and swift action that communities can shield themselves from the insidious threat posed by cyber criminals masquerading as law enforcement officials.