Pune Police Issue Warning on Rising Cyber Fraud via IVR Calls

Senior Inspector Minal Patil addresses the media on recent IVR scams targeting citizens in Pune.

Pune police are cautioning the public against an increasing number of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) scam calls, which have deceived many into losing substantial sums of money. These fraudulent schemes involve pre-recorded messages and keypad prompts designed to trick victims into disclosing personal information and transferring money.

Recent incidents involved high-ranking government and military officials in Pune who quickly recognized these as scams. However, others weren’t as fortunate, with dozens falling prey to various deceptive tactics over the past two months. The scams typically start with a call claiming to be from reputable organizations such as the Mumbai High Court or the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The callers then make alarming threats such as mobile service disconnection or legal actions due to alleged misuse of the victim’s phone numbers.

On March 29, the DoT issued an advisory alerting citizens to these fraudulent calls. The advisory clarified that the DoT does not authorize such calls and urged the public not to respond or share any personal details.

Senior Inspector Minal Patil of the Pune Cyber Crime police station elaborated on the methods used by scammers. According to Patil, after initial contact, victims might receive emails or links leading to fake apps or websites designed to steal data or gain remote access to devices. This access enables scammers to coerce victims into making financial transfers under various pretexts, including handling alleged drug-related parcel issues or fictitious legal fees.

Victims are often contacted by individuals posing as law enforcement officers or international courier services, who claim that illegal substances were detected in parcels addressed to them. These callers use intimidation tactics, stating that the victim is under police surveillance and at risk of serious legal consequences.

Both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police have reported numerous cases linked to these sophisticated IVR scams since last year. The police urge everyone to remain vigilant, ignore such fraudulent calls, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately to prevent further incidents of cyber fraud.