If you get a text message or an e-mail claiming that you have won millions of rupees in a lottery draw, or that some rich businessman has chosen you as an heir for his property worth millions of rupees, beware! This is nothing but online fraud.
Statistics reveal that there has been a more than 300% increase in cybercrimes in Mumbai, as compared to last year, from January to October.
What do numbers show?
As per the statistics provided by the Mumbai police, cases of hacking, phishing and Nigerian fraud have risen to 36 this year till October from the nine registered during the same period last year. While 136 cyber crime offences were registered in city in 2013 till October, this year, the number is 418.
How do conmen get e-mail, phone details?
"Most people, when they receive phishing e-mails and text messages, think how fraudsters got their mobile phone numbers and e-mail addresses, or how their e-mail account got hacked. After analysing series of cybercrime cases, we have learnt that cyber fraudsters function in a very professional manner. They get details of e-mail addresses either by sending phishing e-mails and snatching the user's contact list. Mobile phone numbers are generally randomly dialled. In most cases, the arrested fraudsters don't even remember name of the person they have duped," said a cybercrime police officer.
The police said there has not been much change in the modus operandi of such criminals. "They continue to use the same age-old methods of conning people, and people continue to fall for them," the officer said.
How is online fraud executed?
Explaining the modus operandi, he said, "The victim first receives an e-mail or an SMS. The message states that the recipient's mobile phone number or e-mail was selected in a lucky draw and that s/he is entitled to win millions either in pounds or dollars. The e-mail also contains a contact number for claiming the money. Once the victim respond to that number, the con begins."
"The fraudsters then demand money on various pretexts, such as customs clearance, conversion from foreign to Indian currency, RBI clearance and Anti-Terrorism certificate, among others. They also provide bank account numbers in which the money has to be deposited. The beneficiary bank account holders are Indians, who provide their accounts in return for commission from the money generated from the cyber fraud," said another police officer.
Locals too in the play now
According to the police, though the fraud has been named 'Nigerian fraud', locals too are now instrumental in such crimes. "Earlier, Nigerians used to pull the strings, while their Indian counterparts were restricted to providing their bank accounts and earn commission. But now, in a few cases, it has been observed that locals too have adopted the modus operandi and independently carry out such frauds," said the officer.
What's being done to tackle the menace?
"It's true cyber crime is increasing, but like in the cases of crime against women, here too not many crimes are being registered by citizens. In order to tackle this menace, we are creating capacity not just in crime branch but also in city police stations, so that every police station will have expert officers to handle cyber crime cases. We are also conducting a lot of interaction with various cross sections to create awareness," said joint commission of police, crime, Sadanand Date.
FAQs
What is phishing?
The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft is called phishing. The e-mail directs the user to visit a website where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords, and credit card, social security and bank account numbers. The website, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user's information. Phishing is also referred to as brand spoofing or carding. The basic idea is to throw the bait with the hope that while most might ignore, someone will be tempted into biting at it.
What is hacking?
Hacking, in simple terms, means an illegal intrusion into a computer system and/or network. Every act committed towards breaking into a computer and/or network is hacking. Hackers write or use ready-made computer programmes to attack the target computer. They possess the desire to destruct and get a kick out of such destruction. Some hackers hack for personal monetary gains, such as stealing credit card information, and transferring money from various bank accounts to their own account. They extort money from corporate giants threatening them that they will publish the stolen information, which is critical in nature.
Dos and don'ts
Avoid online banking, shopping, entering credit card details, etc if the network is not properly secured
Check your online account frequently and make sure all listed transactions are valid
Be extremely wary of e-mails asking for confidential information. Never ever click on a link given in a spam e-mail
Always delete spam e-mails immediately and empty the trash box to prevent clicking on the same link accidentally
Beware of lotteries that charge a fee prior to delivery of your prize
While using a credit card for making payments online, check if the website is secure as the CVV will also be required for the payment
Notify your bank/credit card issuer if you do not receive the monthly credit card statement on time. If a credit card is misplaced or lost, get it cancelled immediately
Do not respond to lottery messages or call on the numbers provided in the text messages
Do not provide photocopies of both sides of the credit card to anyone. The card verification value (CVV), which is required for online transactions, is printed on the reverse. Anyone can use the card for online purchases if they get that information
Do not click on links in e-mails seeking details of your account, they could be phishing e-mails from fraudsters. Most reputed companies will ask you to visit their website directly
Do not give any information to people seeking credit card details over the phone
Crime in numbers
Crime 2014 2013
Hacking/Phishing/Nigerian fraud 36 09
Tampering of source code 03 00
Obscene e-mails/SMS/MMS 104 28
Threatening e-mail/SMS 07 01
Credit card fraud 103 27
Others 165 71
Total 418 136
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