Cyber Crime
Scam Alert: How Scammers Are Using BJP Free Recharge Scheme To Harvest Data
Uncover the truth behind new scam campaign by cybercriminals – BJP Free Recharge scam and how to stay safe from this misleading offer.
Attention, everyone! There’s a fake offer going around called the “BJP Free Recharge Yojana.” It claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving away three months of free phone recharge to help the BJP win votes in the 2024 elections. But guess what? It’s all a scam to trick you! This is a news online data harvesting fraud by the scammers and ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, they are misusing the name of the Prime Minister and BJP.
How the Scam Works
This scam was spotted on March 13, 2024, by XVigil from CloudSEK. The scammers made a website that looks real and promises free phone recharges. They even have fake comments from people saying they got their free recharge. Don’t fall for it!
When you click on their “Get Free Recharge” button, they ask you to pick your phone company. But here’s the catch: they just want your phone number. Even if you enter any random number, the website will say you got the recharge and then ask you to share the news with your friends on WhatsApp. This way, the scam spreads even further.
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BJP Free Recharge Yojana scam
Step-by-Step Modus Operandi Of This Scam
- Scam Introduction: Scammers create a fake offer named “BJP Free Recharge Yojana,” falsely claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi is offering three months of free phone recharge to all Indians to gain votes for the BJP in the upcoming 2024 elections.
- Spreading the Word: The scam is promoted through social media and messaging apps, featuring a link that participants are urged to click on to claim their free recharge before a specified deadline.
- Link Clicking: When individuals click on the link, they are directed to a malicious website designed to look legitimate, often including fake testimonials from people claiming they’ve successfully received the free recharge.
- Data Collection: On the website, victims are prompted to select their mobile carrier from a list (e.g., Jio, Vi, Airtel, BSNL) and enter their phone number, under the guise of claiming the offer. This step allows scammers to collect phone numbers without the victim’s consent.
- Phishing Attempt: After entering their phone number, users are led to believe they are activating the three-month recharge offer. This part of the process lacks any verification, indicating a phishing attempt.
- Forced Sharing: The final step falsely notifies the user of a successful recharge and asks them to share the offer with friends or groups on WhatsApp by clicking a green “WhatsApp” button, spreading the scam further and leveraging the victim for social sharing.
- End Goal: The primary aim of the scam is to collect personal data, potentially leading to unauthorized use of the information, spreading misinformation, and possibly financial loss for those who fall deeper into the scam’s tactics.
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Why It’s Bad
- Stealing Info: The main goal of this scam is to get your phone number and possibly other personal information.
- Spreading Lies: By sharing the scam, you help it reach more people, which isn’t good.
- Risk of Losses: Even though they promise a free recharge, you might end up losing money or facing unexpected charges.
Stay Safe: Tips to Avoid Scams
- Check the Source: Always make sure offers are real by checking official websites or social media accounts.
- Be Careful with Your Info: Don’t give out personal information just because a website or message asks you to.
- Learn About Scams: Knowing about common scams can help you spot and avoid them.
- Use Security Tools: Good security software on your phone or computer can help protect you from scams.
- Report Scams: If you see something fishy, tell the authorities or the platform where you found it.
Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay alert and protect yourself from scams like this one!