Hyderabad Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar warned the public on Saturday, November 7, about fake WhatsApp messages promising Rs 1,000 Paytm Diwali gifts. Fraudsters use these links to steal personal data. Sajjanar said, "Such claims are intended to create trust," and urged everyone to verify offers only on official websites.
The commissioner urged the public to verify the Diwali offers via PayTm's official website and not to trust the fraudulent messages on social media.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar on Saturday, November 7, warned the public against fake messages offering Diwali gifts.
Sajjanar took to X and explained that cyber fraudsters are circulating fake WhatsApp messages claiming Paytm is offering Rs 1,000 Diwali gifts.
According to Sajjanar, the misleading message urges recipients to click on a link and claim the supposed cash reward immediately. To make the offer appear genuine, the fraudsters are also circulating messages saying, "I thought it was fake, but I actually received Rs 1,000. You should try it too."
"Such claims are intended to create trust and encourage more people to click on the fraudulent links," he said. Sajjanar warned that fraudsters use festive occasions to cheat people.
He urged the public not to click on suspicious links or share their bank account details, ATM PINs, OTPs, passwords or other personal information on unverified websites. They should also avoid forwarding such messages to friends and family without verifying their authenticity.
The commissioner urged the public to verify Diwali offers on Paytm's official website and not to trust fraudulent messages on social media. Sajjanar requested that the public report such messages on the national cybercrime portal and the cybercrime helpline 1930.