Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 14: Online scammers are finding new ways to deceive the public, with recent cases suggesting that entrepreneurs are now becoming prime targets for these fraudulent activities.
In a recent incident, the owner of a hotel in Udupi received a call from an individual requesting a large order for a meal to be prepared by noon the next day. The caller inquired about the cost and was told to make an advance payment of ?1,000. However, the caller mistakenly transferred Rs 10,000 instead. Shortly after, he called back, claiming the overpayment was an error and asked for Rs 9,000 to be refunded. The hotel owner, suspicious of the request, declined and suggested the caller come in person to collect the refund.
The caller, angered by the refusal, resorted to abusive language. Upon further inspection, the hotel owner realized that the message indicating payment was merely a notification, and no actual transaction had occurred.
Scammers speak Hindi
The caller, who spoke in Hindi, was initially thought to be a local worker by the hotel owner. However, the conversation soon revealed that this was the work of a scammer. Upon tracing the phone number, it was found to be registered in Bihar.
Scams becoming more targeted
Previous fraud cases typically involved identical messages sent to multiple victims. However, recent incidents show that scammers are now tailoring their approaches based on the nature of the business they are targeting. Businesses such as hotels, petrol pumps, medical pharmacies, and even banks are being targeted with fake messages and fraudulent transactions.
Police advice to stay vigilant
The police recommend ignoring such messages whenever possible. In earlier cases, victims only lost money if they clicked on suspicious links. Now, scammers are sending messages claiming that money has been mistakenly deposited into the victim’s account, followed by a request for a refund. The police advise verifying whether the money has genuinely been credited before taking any action, especially if the caller is unknown.
Report suspicious activity
Inspector Ramachandra Nayak from the CEN police station warns against clicking on anonymous links under any circumstances, as many have already fallen victim to such scams, losing large sums of money. Public awareness is the best defence against these fraudulent activities. If there are any doubts regarding suspicious messages, individuals are encouraged to report them to their local police station for further investigation.