UPSC, SSC, Civil service aspirants beware; scammers abusing study-material quest of candidates

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Telegram fraud gangs are targeting aspirants who are preparing for exams including the civil services. They are committing financial fraud by promising to provide study materials for UPSC and SSC exams.

Those preparing for exams are relying more on Telegram channels and groups. The first step of the fraud gangs is to post the link of the fraud group in the real Telegram channels of the exams. Messages like 'If you don't study these questions, you will never pass..." will be sent. Malware or virus will enter the phone when the aspirants click on the link. This is followed by the leakage of personal information.

The financial scam is carried out by offering simple packages for amounts like 25, 49, 99 etc. The scammers then lure students by offering free mock tests. They introduce paid packages afterwards.

Scammers will offer notes, videos, and practice questions on subjects ranging from current affairs to geography. However, aspirants will not get the study materials once they pay. They are also committing fraud by claiming to be offering a one-year package at a price lower than that of other groups.

North Indian lobby behind the scam

The group attracts candidates by posting pictures of civil service rank holders from North India. The scammers will promise that prominent people will be mentors. They will say that they have a coaching centre in Delhi and will soon expand to South India. Most of those who fall into the trap are those who are writing competitive exams for the first time.

Danger of unfamiliar links

• The fraudulent group will have a name that resembles the real groups, but there will be a typo in the name. For example, 0 (zero) will be used instead of O.
• Do not click on unfamiliar links.
• Rely only on known groups

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