New Delhi, July 31 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cautioned citizens against falling victim to frauds perpetrated through the use of mobile phones and internet.

"People receive tempting offers of gift prizes and other swindling schemes over their mobile phones or via internet," Modi said in his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' address over the radio, referring to reports of a women committing suicide after being duped in this manner.

"These are new ways thrown up by technology to loot the public. I know of a retired person with a daughter to marry off and a home to build, who received such a gift offer from abroad, asking that he first deposit Rs 2 lakh in a bank as customs duty for receiving the item," he said.

"A new way of digital crime is where criminals falsely get your bank, credit card details and soon find their accounts emptied of money. People should become aware and not fall into the trap of such tempting offers," the Prime Minister added.