Cyber Crime
Beware of Fake Covid Booster Doses: Scammers Targeting Indians with Phishing Websites and Call Centers
NEW DELHI: Cybercriminals are again exploiting people looking for Covid-19 booster dose in India. After the spike in Covid cases in India, scammers have set up several fake websites and call centres to offer fake Covid booster doses.
These criminals have been sending people phishing emails and text messages, containing links to fake websites. Once individuals click these links, they are redirected to these fake websites, where they are asked to provide personal and financial information.
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Cybercriminals have also set up fake call centres, impersonating healthcare professionals and offering Covid booster doses for a fee. They ask for payment through digital wallets or other online payment platforms. They use official logos or branding on their websites and communications to make these scams more believable.
On April 19, 2023, a Dwarka, Delhi resident attempted to book their Covid booster dose at Bensups Hospital. The individual, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons, contacted the hospital’s helpline number, which was available on their website. He was instructed to register for the booster shot and pay a fee of Rs 10. The hospital shared a link to the individual’s mobile phone, and they made the payment using their UPI ID.
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The following day, on April 20, at approximately 6:30 PM, the individual received an alert from Axis Bank customer care, stating that an unauthorized transaction appeared to be taking place on their account. They were given the option to block the transaction, which they did immediately. Unfortunately, by the time they were able to block the transaction, Rs 4999 had been fraudulently transferred from their Standard Chartered bank account.
The individual contacted their bank’s customer care and had their account blocked to prevent any further unauthorized transactions. They were advised to report the matter to the Cyber Crime Unit to recover the stolen funds.
Cases of online fraud and financial scams have become increasingly common in recent times, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is crucial to remain vigilant and cautious while conducting online transactions and take appropriate measures to safeguard one’s financial information.
The incident has been reported to the appropriate authorities, and an investigation is currently underway. The individual has also urged others to be careful and take necessary precautions while making online payments to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
To prevent falling victim to these scams, it is important to take the following measures:
- Use Arogya Setu app to book you slot for vaccines and booster shots.
- Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages, especially those related to Covid-19 booster doses.
- Verify the legitimacy of the source before providing any personal or financial information. This can be done by checking official government or healthcare websites for information about booster doses and by contacting known healthcare providers directly to confirm the legitimacy of any offers for booster doses.
- Be cautious of urgent or fear-based language used in emails or phone calls related to Covid-19 booster doses.
- Report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities to help prevent further scams.
- It is important to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to these cybercriminals who are exploiting the ongoing pandemic. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, we can help prevent these scams and keep ourselves and our communities safe.
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