Lack of awareness in rural areas reason behind more phishing cases there: Experts

Following the case of Namdev Warade, a Nashik-based farmer who lost around Rs 29 lakh in a phishing fraud in 2010, the Bombay high court recently directed the state government to ask mobile phone and e-mail service providers to create awareness among citizens, so that they don't fall prey to such messages.

Experts, on the other hand, say the facility that allows sending bulk messages is also like the Internet and fraudsters are misusing it just as they misuse the Internet. They believe lack of awareness about cyber crime frauds and greed are the major reasons why such cases occur.

"The bulk message facility is mostly used by government agencies, like the Mumbai Police, traffic police and municipal corporations, in cases of emergencies. Through these messages, they alert citizens about issues like rainfall, cyclone, tide levels and traffic. But fraudsters misuse this facility to con unsuspecting citizens. Imposing restrictions on the bulk messaging system is not a solution, instead more awareness should be created among people so that they do not fall prey to such frauds. I come across several people from rural areas who get conned through such phishing e-mails and text messages," said inspector Mukund Pawar of cyber crime investigation cell of crime branch.

"Anyone who gets such phishing messages or e-mails should not respond to them and instead inform the police."