GUWAHATI: The popularity of social media has not waned since it gained popularity in the early 2000s. Social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Snapchat boast billions of active users worldwide. Social media remains an invaluable tool to both organizations and individuals because of the ease of sharing information and media and the ability to both reach and engage specific audiences of interest. Due to its massive user base, communication ease, and data sharing, social media presents fertile ground for the conduct of cybercrime.
Cybercriminals actively target social media users, use social media to facilitate their cybercrime activities, and advertise their criminal activities on social media.
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On June 20, the Cyber Crime branch of the Guwahati Police intercepted a fraudulent transaction worth ₹27,66,292.
This action has led to the recovery of ₹20,60,000, which has already been credited back to the victim’s account. Efforts are underway to recover the remaining amount.
Earlier, the victim had fallen prey to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing ₹54 lakhs to criminals who posed as investment advisors offering lucrative returns in the stock market. The scam involved convincing the victim to transfer large sums of money under the guise of share market investments.
Upon receiving the complaint, Cyber police station officials in Guwahati managed to put a hold on the fraudulent transaction, which was in progress, thereby preventing further loss of funds. The remaining ₹7,06,292 from the transaction will be credited back to the victim's account soon, according to Guwahati Police.
ALSO READ: Cyber Scam Foiled In Guwahati, Over ₹20 Lakhs Recovered
GPlus recently delved into the alarming rise of cybercrime through social media in Guwahati.
Speaking to a source at the Cybercrime Police Station in Panbazar, it became evident that these digital crimes are not only increasing but also becoming more organized and fraudsters are finding various tactics.
"Cybercrimes through social media have rapidly increased in Guwahati," the source confirmed. "Platforms like Instagram and Telegram are commonly used by criminals to execute their schemes."
One prevalent trend is stock market fraud. "Many people fall victim in the name of the stock market," the source explained. "Scammers create fake sites that mimic reputed bank websites. When victims open these sites, they look exactly like the official bank websites."
This tactic has led to over eight cases of stock market financial fraud in Guwahati. The hackers often contact victims through Telegram and Instagram. Shockingly, even professionals like bank managers have fallen prey, leading to a collective loss of more than 3 crores.
Trading scams are another growing concern. "Scammers pose as reputable investment companies and lure victims with free trading tips classes advertised on social media platforms or WhatsApp," the source elaborated. "Victims are redirected to unknown WhatsApp groups where fraudsters persuade them to invest by offering free trading tips."
The fraudsters use call spoofing and impersonate officials to deceive victims further. After gaining the victims' trust, they ask them to install trading applications and follow their guidance, ultimately leading them into a trap.
Fake Courier Service Scams
Another widespread scam is the fake courier service fraud. "Fraudsters lead victims to fake websites where they're tricked into providing personal and financial information," the source said. "They pose as reputable courier companies or law enforcement, creating a sense of urgency and fear to extort money."
One victim shared her harrowing experience. "The caller connected me to someone claiming to be from the Narcotics Division for identity verification. They then asked me to join a Skype call, presented fake documents from institutions like the CBI and RBI, and demanded my bank statement and money to verify my accounts."
Utility Bill Scams
The APDCL bill scam is another modus operandi that has targeted many in Guwahati. "A pop-up appears when users access the APDCL website, tricking them into believing they owe money," the source explained. "We have initiated awareness campaigns to alert consumers to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of messages."
Ride-Hailing Scams
Rapido or two-wheeler riders are also falling victim to a clever scam. "Fraudsters book rides and then send messages mimicking bank notifications, claiming they have credited 10,000 rupees instead of 100," the source described. "They then ask the riders to return the excess money, which leads to confusion and loss."
Threats and Extortion
A particularly disturbing trend involves fake rape case threats. "Parents receive calls from fraudsters claiming their daughter has been raped or kidnapped," the source revealed. "This modus operandi is designed to create panic and extort money quickly."
Monetary Losses and Recovery Efforts
In just 2-3 months, victims in Guwahati have lost more than Rs 12 crores to various cybercrimes. "From that, we have managed to recover about Rs 1 crore," the source stated.
However, recovering the entire amount is challenging. "These fraudsters use fake accounts and IDs. They often take accounts from people who are unaware of the scam, offering them money or commission in exchange. By the time we track the funds, they are distributed through multiple accounts, creating a complex chain," the source explained. "It's a like a chain. By the time, we freeze the money, it is already distributed through different channels or chains."
The Impact on Victims
The impact on victims is not just financial but also psychological. Many victims feel a deep sense of betrayal and vulnerability. One victim, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her ordeal. "I thought I was investing in a legitimate stock market scheme. Everything seemed authentic until I lost a significant amount of my savings. It has been a nightmare trying to recover the money."
Another victim, a professional working in a reputable company, recounted how she was lured into a trading scam. "They were very convincing, posing as officials from well-known investment firms. They even provided me with tips that initially worked, but eventually, I realized it was all a ploy when I started losing money."
As cybercrime through social media continues to rise, the need for vigilance and awareness has never been more critical. Social media users must be cautious about the information they share and the interactions they engage in online. "It's essential to question the authenticity of any unsolicited messages or calls, especially those that create a sense of urgency or fear," the source advised.
He also added, "We get at least 15-20 cybercrime cases in Guwahati."
