THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'Ten-day tour package gift voucher to Singapore, latest version iPhone...', scams make promises that look just like this.

Online scammers have come up with such offers to 'celebrate' Onam. Many people in the state fall prey to festive scams. According to the police, women above the age of 50 are the majority of the victims.

Links coming through WhatsApp and Telegram are the main source of scam. They look similar to reputed companies but there will be slight difference in letters. Another is the survey related to Onam. There will be a registration fee of Rs.500 and an offer of Rs 10 lakhs is made. Apart from losing the registration fee, the hacker also gets the bank details.

Fraud is also being done in the name of charity work.

There are also discount scams where home appliances are offered at a discount of up to 50 percent. Many people don't tell their ordeal out of embarrasment.

Loan fraud

"No need for PAN card, Aadhaar or bail. The loan amount will reach the account."

What else is needed to make Onam better. But within days, there will be a call demanding a huge amount of interest. If their demands are not met, they will use the numbers in yout contact list and send embarrassing messages saying that they have been scammed by you. According to cyber police, women working in Kudumbashree are the most victims of such scams. Behind this is a racket that knows how to handle Malayalam in Punjab and Haryana.

Be careful

Do not click on social media links.

Download apps from playstore only

Cyber helpline number 1930 to report immediately if you are caught in a scam