THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police have taken action to block 72 loan apps and websites that are not approved by the Reserve Bank in the situation where many people are becoming victims of online loan fraud. Cyber Operations SP Harishankar issued a notice to Google and the domain registrar. Google had removed more than 100 loan apps a few days ago as per the request of Kerala Police. Cyber police informed that more apps are under surveillance.
Four members of a family who were victims of online loan fraud had committed suicide recently in Kochi. The intervention of the police is in this context. It is the common people who fall prey to the low interest-rate loan scams. At first, they will receive a small amount, but once they fail to repay, they will be threatened with increased interest. Impersonation using Aadhaar information is also possible. Most loan apps are owned by Chinese companies
More than 600 complaints have been received on the police's WhatsApp number 9497980900, which was launched on Thursday to report online loan fraud. Complaints can be made through voice, text and photo. The police will call back after evaluating the complaint.
IT Ministry has also given instructions
Union Ministry of Electronics and IT had directed last week to remove illegal dating and game apps from the Play Store and Apple App Store. Recently, a hotel employee had committed suicide in Idukki due to losing money in online rummy. Fans of action games like Free Fire, Call of Duty, and Battle Mobile Ground pay lakhs to game companies to buy guns, jackets and vehicles for their gaming characters. Once paid, they siphon money every month without even OTP alerts.
Loan apps banned by the police
(Police has asked to ban 72 apps including these.)
Cyber Helpline 1930