Scamsters using Modi's name to dupe people

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The notorious online fraud scam industry is thriving across the city with criminals adopting latest methods to trick gullible people of their hard-earned money.

While the heat on Lok Sabha polls is on, a latest scam has surfaced where several people in Bengaluru have received messages containing an offer to win Rs 5000 just by clicking a URL link and scratching a bonus card bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo on it.

A cyber complaint was filed by several activists and residents with the Cyber Economic and Narcotics police regarding these messages.

"The message says the recipient is eligible for Rs 5,000 and to click on a link. The fraudsters then wipe out the victim’s bank account," a police official told News Trail.

The cops said that these fraudsters are stealing money from poor and innocent people in the name of Bharat Jan Dhan Yojana.

"These links are going to WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media accounts of people asking them to click on the link and open a scratch card. Once you scratch the card, it shows that Rs 4,950 will be deposited in the account and redirects you to Paytm. The fraudsters then steal money from your bank accounts. This is a fake message as no such scheme has been announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, or the government," the police officer said and warned the citizens to avoid falling into these fraudulent traps.