Mangaluru: In Mangaluru, Karnataka, a fake website created in the name of the city police was being used for online fraud, prompting authorities to register a case. The website was reportedly designed to target unsuspecting citizens, especially senior citizens, for cyber scams, police said.
The complaint stated that the accused were sharing a fake link that closely resembled the official Mangaluru City Police website. The link was used to contact people and lure them into online gambling or other fraudulent schemes, through which money was illegally obtained.
FCRF Launches Premier CISO Certification Amid Rising Demand for Cybersecurity Leadership
Police said the criminals deliberately misused the Mangaluru City Police name to make their website and messages appear credible and successfully trap people. Officials noted that while the website looked like a government police site from the outside, it had no affiliation with the official portal.
It is well known that in such scams, cybercriminals gain victims’ trust by giving the impression that they are official websites or government agencies. Victims are then encouraged to participate in online betting, fake transactions, fund transfers, or other financial activities, resulting in significant monetary loss.
Following the complaint, the Mangaluru City Police cyber wing and technical team have launched a detailed investigation. Initial findings indicate that the operators behind the fake website remain unidentified, and a case has been registered under various legal provisions. Police have started further questioning.
Cybercrime experts say that in today’s digital era, such scams are increasingly common, as criminals use fake platforms resembling official government websites to deceive people. Scammers often manipulate URLs, look-and-feel, logos, and domain names so that individuals mistake them for legitimate sites.
Experts warn that individuals should never trust links received via messages claiming to be from government agencies unless verified through official portals or secure sources. This is particularly critical when links request financial transactions, passwords, OTPs, or banking information.
The Mangaluru police have appealed to citizens not to share personal data, bank details, OTPs, or passwords on suspicious websites or links. Officials said that all transactions on government websites should only be conducted through authorized portals, and any doubtful links should be immediately reported to the cyber police or local police station.
Amid rising digital fraud incidents, police urged vigilance regarding suspicious links and fake websites circulating via mobile phones, social media, email, and messaging platforms. They advised, “Verify any official information before clicking on links, and never share sensitive information.”
The case is significant in the context of rising digital arrest and other cyber frauds, where criminals exploit the names of police, government agencies, and large institutions to deceive people and extract money. Identifying the perpetrators and exposing their networks requires thorough investigation.
Police stated that the investigation is ongoing and will also examine the potential involvement of a broader gang behind the scam.
