Cybercrime Police sound QR code caution

Hyderabad: The Cyberabad Cybercrime police of late have been receiving several complaints from people wherein they have lost their hard-earned money after scanning the QR codes sent by the fraudsters on the pretext of sending them money. Until now this year, the Cyberabad Police have booked 120 cases with regard to this fraud. According to […]

Hyderabad: The Cyberabad Cybercrime police of late have been receiving several complaints from people wherein they have lost their hard-earned money after scanning the QR codes sent by the fraudsters on the pretext of sending them money. Until now this year, the Cyberabad Police have booked 120 cases with regard to this fraud.

According to the cybercrime officials, the wing has received several complaints mostly from students, youngsters, and working professionals, and victims have lost nearly Rs 13.3 lakh to the fraudsters through this fraud.

Investigations into such cases have indicated that cyber fraudsters hailing from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other northern States, are posting fake ads on websites on the pretext of selling or purchasing used products and cheating genuine customers.

“Most of the QR code frauds are happening in cases of purchase or sale of goods and services through an advertisement posted on e-commerce sites. The fraudster contacts them over chat and after exchanging the contact number, the fraudster starts chatting over WhatsApp and makes the victim believe they are ready to purchase the goods and service,” said a senior official from Cyberabad.

Without even negotiating the price, they will ask the victim to scan the QR code sent by them so that they will receive the money directly into their bank accounts.

“Blindly believing them, the victims innocently scan the QR codes sent by the fraudsters presuming that they will receive the money into their account but, they end up losing hard earned money,” the official said.

In the wake of several such frauds being reported, the police urge citizens to be wary and not fall to the designs of the fraudsters. “When in doubt that you are being defrauded by someone, please call the Cyberabad Cybercrime team on – 9490617310,” an official said.

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