In a disturbing rise of cybercrime, fraudsters are targeting unsuspecting citizens by posing as representatives of reputed insurance companies, duping them into making payments under the pretext of policy renewals, transfers, and resolving technical issues.
According to officials from the Cybercrime Wing, scammers are reaching out to individuals through phone calls and emails, falsely claiming their insurance policies are either about to expire or have already lapsed. Using this as a pretext, the fraudsters pressure victims to make immediate payments to “renew” their policies, often under threats that their benefits will be cancelled.
To add a layer of deception, these criminals send official-looking emails containing links that lead to fake websites closely mimicking legitimate insurance portals. “These scams now account for nearly 30 percent of the cases we’ve received in the last three months,” a senior cybercrime official said.
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Shockingly, many of the victims have been found to be educated individuals, especially elderly citizens and retired employees, who were more likely to fall for these high-pressure tactics. In some cases, victims were even enticed with promises of prizes for early payments.
What makes these scams more dangerous is the use of accurate personal data. Cybercrime officials revealed that fraudsters are acquiring sensitive policyholder information—including policy deadlines, vehicle numbers, and insurance details—from data providers and brokerage firms for amounts ranging between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000. This allows scammers to craft highly convincing and targeted messages.
In several instances, victims were coaxed into revealing their bank account information. The fraudsters would then siphon off funds directly from their accounts.
Authorities have issued a strong warning and a public advisory to prevent more people from falling prey to these scams:
Police Advisory: Stay Vigilant
- Fraudsters are targeting people with fake insurance renewal calls.
- Victims are being warned their policies are lapsing and are rushed into sharing personal details.
- Do not click on links in emails or messages from unknown sources.
- Never share personal or financial information over the phone.
- Verify any renewal requests by directly contacting your insurance provider through their official contact details.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Cyber officials urge citizens not to be rushed into making payments or sharing information under pressure. “When in doubt, always stop, verify, and report,” the official added.
With the number of cases rising, authorities are actively investigating multiple complaints and calling for stricter regulation on data-sharing practices within the insurance industry to protect consumers’ private information.
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