Beware of Cyber fraudsters impersonating TRAI officials: TGCSB

HYDERABAD: Beware of cyber fraudsters impersonating TRAI officials, threatening victims with fake arrest scenarios. They use recorded calls claiming victims' mobile numbers will be blocked within hours.

The fraudsters disclose victims' personal details, falsely implicating them in criminal activities, and allege FIRs by Mumbai or Hyderabad police. Perpetrators coerce victims into Skype calls with fake police officers, demanding large sums to prevent fictitious arrests, extorting lakhs of rupees.

Modus operandi of cyber fraudsters

Victims are contacted from a mobile number with a recorded call, falsely claiming to be from TRAI, threatening to block their mobile numbers within two hours. The caller, impersonating Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), discloses victims' names and phone numbers.

Additionally, victims are coerced into believing their SIM cards are involved in anti-national activities, and false FIRs are mentioned, often involving Mumbai or Hyderabad police. Fraudsters compel victims to dial 9 and connect via Skype, where a fake police officer demands a large sum to prevent a fictitious arrest.

Citizens are urged not to answer calls from unknown numbers, not to trust such fraudulent claims, and to report incidents to cybercrime authorities immediately, said Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) in-charge director Mahesh Bhagwat.

Citizens are advised to

• Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers.
• Refrain from trusting fraudsters claiming Aadhaar or mobile number misuse for criminal activities.
• Resist complying with any monetary or other demands from fraudsters instilling fear of arrest.
• Record calls and take screenshots of fraudulent activities.
• Promptly report incidents to cybercrime authorities by contacting the police, dialing 1930, or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint.