Fraud Alert
Farmers Fall Prey to Kisan Samman Nidhi Scam, Suffer Rs 25 Lakh Loss
Aurangabad: A disturbing trend of online fraud has emerged in the rural areas of Aurangabad district, with dozens of farmers falling victim to cybercriminals in recent months. The fraudsters, exploiting the lack of digital literacy among farmers, have siphoned off over Rs 25 lakh from various bank accounts.
The modus operandi involves fraudulent calls and messages, often impersonating government officials or bank representatives. The victims are lured into sharing sensitive personal and financial information, including bank account details and OTPs. Once in possession of this information, the cybercriminals swiftly transfer funds to their own accounts.
One such victim, Sudama Mehta, recounted his ordeal, stating that he received a call from an individual claiming to be from the block office. The caller requested his bank account details and OTP under the pretext of updating his information for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Unfortunately, Mehta fell prey to the deception, resulting in the loss of Rs 54,000.
Other victims include Bablu Dubey, Shravan Kumar, Arvind Singh, and Bhola Mehta, who lost significant amounts of money to these cybercriminals. Despite filing complaints with the cyber police station, the victims have yet to see any tangible action.
To curb this rising menace, the Cyber DSP, Manoj Kumar, has urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing personal information with unknown individuals. He emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities. Victims are advised to immediately inform their banks about unauthorized transactions and block their accounts to prevent further financial loss.
The authorities are actively working to raise awareness about cybercrime and educate the public about the various tactics employed by cybercriminals. By understanding these techniques and taking necessary precautions, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to such frauds.