Fraud in the name of phonepay gift... A scheme of cyber criminals during the festive season

Cyber fraudsters are taking advantage of the festive season by targeting people with fake offers. Recently, scam messages claiming to offer a ₹5,000 “Pongal Gift” in the name of PhonePe have been circulating widely. Police have issued strong warnings, urging the public to stay alert and avoid clicking on such suspicious links.

Officials cautioned that clicking on these fake links could lead to bank accounts being compromised, potentially resulting in the complete loss of funds. People are advised not to trust festival-related gift messages or promotional links received through unknown sources.

Meanwhile, police in Khammam district recently busted a massive international cyber fraud racket involving transactions worth nearly ₹547 crore. Eighteen individuals connected to the scam were arrested. Authorities say the case highlights the growing scale and sophistication of cybercrime networks.

Police have once again appealed to the public not to share OTPs, bank details, or personal information with anyone and to immediately report suspicious activity to cybercrime authorities.