Kolkata: Cyber fraudsters have been trying to cash in on the election season to dupe people with a fake mobile recharge scheme, which the crooks have been claiming are offered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or chief minister Mamata Banerjee. While Kolkata Police warned that it was just another way to defraud people and that citizens should be vigilant against such attempts, officers pointed out that most receivers had not walked into the trap or lost any money yet.
Barely hours after the Lok Sabha results were announced, many in Bengal received a message on their mobiles, saying Bengal CM Banerjee would grant free recharge of their connections if they clicked on the link sent. The message claimed Banerjee, after the win, offered a 28-day mobile recharge, worth Rs 239, free and that the offer would be valid till Oct 29. Users complained they had received a similar message, complete with a link, during the sixth and seventh phases of the elections, saying PM Modi offered free 84-day mobile recharge, worth Rs 742. Kolkata Police has warned that clicking on such a link can instantly empty the user’s bank account, linked to that number. Pointing out that the users would also lose personal information to the fraudsters, police said they had started a suo motu case, given that such messages had been sent to multiple people.
In a warning on social media, Lalbazar posted: “Beware of the website http://westbengalfreerecharge.blogspot.com claiming free mobile recharges. This is a Cyber Fraud. Do not click the link or you might face financial loss. Stay vigilant! Legal action is being taken against miscreants circulating such messages.” Officers said it was similar to the earlier cyber scam of fake Fastag recharge offers. “These cases highlight the importance of being vigilant while accessing unverified links. It is advisable not to click on such links,” said a DCP.
The messages, however, started a political controversy with a section of opposition members alleging it was an attempt to sway votes.