The Cyber Crime Wing of Rajasthan Police Headquarters has issued a crucial advisory warning the public about a growing trend in cyber fraud involving fake lottery and scratch coupons. According to Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Shantanu Kumar, fraudsters are posing as representatives of reputed companies and luring victims with promises of massive cash rewards or luxury vehicles.
The modus operandi is simple but deceptive. Victims receive a letter through Indian Post along with a scratch coupon, which they are told was issued as part of a “lucky draw” in which their name was selected. When scratched, the coupon reveals a prize—usually ₹10–15 lakh in cash or a four-wheeler. Victims are then instructed to call a number provided in the letter to claim their reward.
A Multi-Stage Trap: Charges for a Prize That Doesn’t Exist
Once contact is made, the fraudsters trap victims further by demanding a series of payments under various pretexts—registration fees, GST, transportation charges, and processing costs. Believing in the legitimacy of the process, many victims end up transferring substantial amounts of money, only to realize later that they have been conned.
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Police have noted that these fraudsters go to great lengths to make the scam appear legitimate, even using official-looking documents and postal services to build trust. Victims often only realize the deception after repeated payments yield no actual prize.
Advisory Issued: What Citizens Should Do
The Rajasthan Police have urged citizens to exercise caution and not fall prey to such offers. The official advisory lists the following precautions:
- Do not trust letters or calls claiming you’ve won a lottery or vehicle.
- Never transfer money to unknown individuals or organizations promising prizes.
- Do not call numbers mentioned in suspicious letters or messages.
- Verify any such claims directly with the concerned company’s official channels.
In case of falling victim to such a scam, individuals are advised to immediately call the national cyber helpline number 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Quick reporting increases the chance of recovering lost money and helps law enforcement in tracking down the fraudsters.
The advisory comes amid an increase in such scams reported from various districts of Rajasthan. The police emphasize that public awareness and quick action are key to tackling this evolving cybercrime threat.