Cyber Crime
Beware: Fraudsters Misusing UPCOP App to Download FIRs and Extort Money, Posing as Police Officers
Bareilly Police have issued a warning about cyber fraudsters misusing the UPCOP app to download FIRs and deceive people by posing as police officers. Victims are being tricked into paying money under threats of legal action. The public is urged to stay vigilant and verify any such calls, ensuring their personal information remains secure.
In a recent warning, the Bareilly Police have cautioned the public about a new form of cyber fraud where scammers are misusing the UPCOP app to download FIRs and deceive people. These fraudsters impersonate police officials and demand money from victims under the guise of official procedures.
The Superintendent of Police (Crime), Mukesh Pratap Singh, revealed that these cybercriminals use the UP Cop app to download FIRs and obtain the mobile numbers of the victims listed in these reports. Posing as police officials, they contact the victims, threatening them with further legal action from the other party unless they pay a certain amount of money. The scammers, often wearing police uniforms or showing the UPCOP app, convince the victims that they are legitimate officers.
Victims are then coerced into revealing sensitive information, such as bank account details and OTPs, which the fraudsters use to siphon off money. Senior Police Officer Anurag Arya has urged the public to be cautious of unknown calls or messages requesting personal information or money. He emphasized that official police communications will never ask for such details and advised anyone receiving suspicious calls to immediately contact their local police station.
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In one such incident, a complaint was filed by Vikas Pratap Singh of Ambedkar Nagar, Auraiya, who received a threatening call demanding Rs. 5,000 to avoid false legal charges. This case is currently under investigation, with the police taking steps to track and apprehend the culprits involved.
Furthermore, the Ayana Police Station, along with the SOG team from Auraiya, recently arrested a cybercriminal involved in a similar scam. The accused, Naher Singh alias Raj Yadav, and his accomplices were caught after they demanded Rs. 20,000 from a victim under false pretenses. The arrest was made following a detailed investigation based on multiple complaints.
The police have appealed to the public to avoid sharing personal information with strangers and to verify the identity of any caller claiming to be from the police. They also recommended visiting the nearest police station or checking the official police website for any inquiries about FIRs or other legal matters.
The Bareilly police are actively working to track down these fraudsters and have requested the cooperation of the public in staying alert and reporting any suspicious activities. This initiative is part of their broader effort to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from financial fraud.
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