Kolkata: Cyber crooks have come up with yet another modus operandi to defraud people. Police cautioned citizens against cyber criminals, who posed as healthcare employees and called to fool people into believing that a close family member—a child in many cases—was is in need of an emergency medical procedure. They then sent a "consent form" to the target to collect his or her personal data, such as date of birth and Aadhaar card details, which they used to siphon off money from the person's account, police said.
"A Google form is sent to fill in details. A string of calls follow to keep the person occupied so that they do not scrutinise the form they are filling up. Sometimes, they claim the form is necessary to assign senior doctors to the patient," said an officer, urging people to first check the status of the person. "In several cases, the call is made to a parent regarding a child. One can also dial the nearest police station or 100 if necessary to verify the authenticity of the phone call instead of getting alarmed on hearing someone cry over phone," cops tweeted in the DC (cybercrime) Kolkata Police thread.
Police have also warned against getting perturbed on receiving calls from "cops". Using a meme, featuring Feluda, police posted on X: "Don't be unduly afraid if someone calls you with a police or doctor's identity. Verify the authenticity and if necessary, dial 100 or contact the nearest police station. Kolkata Police is with you on your side."
"Digital arrest or extortion frauds began last year when threat calls on behalf of central agencies reached victims. This now includes fake calls on behalf of CBI, NCB, or NIA and now in the name of hospitals," explained an officer.