Jammu and Kashmir police’s cyber cell has issued a warning about fake advertisements on online e-commerce platforms and social media platforms, including OLX and Facebook.
In a statement issued to the Kashmir Walla, the police warned of cyber fraudsters, posting fake advertisements for sale of motorcycles, cars, and other valuable articles.
Superintendent of Police, cyber cell, Tahir Ashraf said, “Whenever any customer shows interest to buy the item posted by fraudsters, he is made to believe that they are working in the army or other security agency and due to their transfer to some other place.” Mr. Ashraf further warned against the fraudsters “selling articles [at] lower prices and hence [making] innocent and unaware people to transfer the amount into their e-wallets/bank accounts and finally cheat them and get their hard earned money.”
The police further stated that they are continuously receiving complaints regarding Vishing (OTP Frauds), OLX, and Facebook scams.
“During the last two days Cyber Police Kashmir Zone saved one lakh thirty thousand rupees of the gullible people from the fraudsters and also blocked different fake bank account numbers which were involved in the commission of crime,” read the statement. “General Public is advised to immediately contact Cyber Police Srinagar in case of any such incident.”
To prevent cyber frauds and to save the general public from these fraudsters, Cyber Police Srinagar also issued general advisory to the public as a precautionary measure while intending to purchase any article shown in OLX portal or Facebook.
It includes: “verify the product posted in OLX portal physically, before transferring any amount to the seller; do not believe the ID cards sent by these [fraudsters] on the name of Army personnels ,as they are always fake; do not believe these fraudster when they make you believe that the amount will be returned, once product is delivered; ask for the original documents/bills for the products of the article, you intend to purchase, prior to paying any amount; don’t scan the QR codes sent by the OLX fraudsters for transfer money, as those transactions are fraudulent one.