As the country experiences increasing cases of ‘electricity fraud’, the Hyderabad police warned citizens against falling victim to scammers who threaten to disconnect power if they don’t pay their bills immediately.
“Dear customer, your electricity power will be disconnected. Tonight at 9:30 from the electricity officer. Our previous month’s bill was not updated. Please immediately contact the electricity officer +91 XXXXX XXXX. Thanks. SecyGenl (sic),” the message reads.
Swindlers have developed this new method of duping people in the midst of online shopping frauds, international call frauds, and other such scams.
Gaddam Mahesh, a sub-inspector of the Hyderabad police who runs a YouTube channel called ‘Crime Free India’, said when the victim calls the number provided by the scammers, he/she is asked to download Quick Support and Any Desk applications. “As soon as the victim downloads the apps and shares the screen with the fraudster, their internet banking and credit card details get stolen. The amount in the bank is withdrawn through online banking or other methods,” Mahesh was reported as saying.
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The message, which contains numerous punctuation and spelling errors, also instructs targets to contact an ‘electricity officer’ at a private number provided.
The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) sprang into action after social media was flooded with complaints about people receiving fraudulent messages.
“TSSPDCL will never send any website links for bill payments. Be aware of fraudulent calls or messages related to electricity bill payments. Please don’t share bank account details and OTP with others. We recommend you to use the TSSPDCL mobile app or website for bill payments,” the department said.
Cyber financial fraud can be reported immediately by calling 1930 (24*7). In addition, you can file a complaint with the nearest cyber police station.
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