THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cyber frauds worth Rs 105 crore were committed in Kerala less than two months since the start of the new year. Frauds worth Rs 760 crore were committed last year. 14 crore embezzled from the frauds that took place within two months was recovered through the intervention of the Kerala Cyber Operations Division. 5330 complaints were received.
About 65 crores were lost through investment fraud. The victims of investment fraud are highly educated and corporate people. They are trapped by investments made without proper verification. The method of fraud is to make victims deposit a small amount of money and then give them a huge profit in return. Fake screenshots of the company's achievements and huge profits are shared. Victims are also informed that they have made two or three times the profit they invested. As victims deposit more money, they are given screenshots showing that they have reached the golden level. Scammers will take more money after this. Victims will realize that there is no money in the account only when they go to withdraw the money.
Losses highest in Ernakulam
(As on February 21, amount in crores)
Ernakulam City................................10 crore
Ernakulam Rural................................11
Thiruvananthapuram City................9.1
Malappuram..........................................7.5
Palakkad..........................................7.2
Kottayam..................................................7.1
Thrissur................................................6.6
Wayanad.................................................1.1
Account and number should be checked in cybercrime
The police have informed that the phone numbers and social media accounts used by cyber fraudsters should be checked and confirmed.
Visit the website cybercrime.gov.in and select the option Report and Check Suspect. UPI ID, phone numbers, bank accounts, social media accounts, and email addresses can be checked here. If the number or ID is used for digital fraud, a warning will be issued.
The general public can also provide information about the website address, WhatsApp number, Telegram handle, phone number, bank accounts, email addresses, and social media addresses used by fraudsters to this portal.