Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 1: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has urged people to remain vigilant against rising cyber fraud and cautioned them against responding to unknown calls or dialling unfamiliar numbers containing symbols such as star (*) and hash (#).

Sawant said cases of cyber fraud through mobile banking were increasing and warned that scammers could gain access to bank details and withdraw money within minutes.

He said fraudsters often send fake links claiming to help people track courier or parcel deliveries. "Hackers send links of a courier or a parcel which they urge people to click on to track their parcel. Once they click on the link, the hacker gets access to the entire bank information of the person, as now everything is linked to a person's mobile number," Sawant said.

The chief minister advised people not to answer suspicious calls or dial unknown numbers at the instruction of callers. He also cautioned people about fake "digital arrest" scams being used to defraud victims in India and abroad.

Sawant said authorities were using various techniques to track cybercrime cases and were working to create greater awareness among the public. He added that even minor cybercrime complaints were being registered and appropriate action was being taken.