Crooks exploit Omicron fears in the name of sanitising services

Hyderabad: From Covid-19 to face masks and vaccines, the latest addition in the trickster’s book is Omicron. According to the police, fraud gangs are on the job to exploit the fear in the minds of the public over the surge in Covid cases triggered by the Omicron variant, with many calling up residential and office […]

Hyderabad: From Covid-19 to face masks and vaccines, the latest addition in the trickster’s book is Omicron.

According to the police, fraud gangs are on the job to exploit the fear in the minds of the public over the surge in Covid cases triggered by the Omicron variant, with many calling up residential and office areas, offering sanitising services but with the intention of cheating them.

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In view of the spike in Covid-19 cases, the police have warned of gangs targeting people in the guise of sanitising homes and office premises and cheating them. The police are also keeping a check on illegal sale of fake sanitisers and low-quality masks.

The tri-commissionerate police – Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda – who had earlier cracked down on various offenders and gangs who were cheating people during the first and second waves of the pandemic are now focused on the rise of such enterprises during the current third wave too.

“The pandemic has prompted panic-buying, not only of basic necessities but also of medication and masks. Some individuals and gangs are taking this as an opportunity to extort money from people,” said an official.

The law and order police coordinated by the Task Force, Special Operations Team and other special wings are now keeping an eye out for such criminals.

Officials said gangs are targeting unsuspecting victims on social media and in person. Cyber crooks are using attractive offers for sanitisers, masks, medicines and sanitising homes and offices, for lower rates on various social media platforms. They are collecting money in advance and duping people.

Offenders also tend to visit houses posing as executives from housekeeping agencies and either steal valuables or rob the residents. With reports suggesting that there will be a further surge in cases, the police have warned citizens not to believe any offers on social media and to pay anyone in advance.

“In most cases, online advertisements are fake and misleading. It is better to thoroughly verify details of the company and service provider before proceeding as there is a possibility of fraudsters tricking us. Never pay money for any product or service before it is delivered,” a cybercrime official said.

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