You might be surfing a website on your computer or laptop. Suddenly, a pop-up appears. It reads— “Browser has been locked for watching pornography”.
After that, if you click on that pop-up, you might get a message saying that to restart your browser, you need to pay a certain amount of money. A specific account number for online payment is also provided. Only after you pay the money will your browser supposedly start working again.
Again, many times such incidents are happening where fraudsters hack customers' bank accounts by getting them to click on specific links, and then the account is emptied in an instant.
This was one type of fraudulent business. Using somewhat similar but different modus operandi, cyber fraudsters are also ruining customers.
What is it like?
A few months ago, a warning was issued by the central cyber security agency stating that email messages are being sent to many people in the name of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). It states— complaints have been received by that agency against the customer for searching pornographic sites and various cyber crimes. The letter recipient must explain this within a specified time. Otherwise, legal action will be taken. The email attachment contains a PDF file of a letter. It includes I4C's name, logo, and signatures and stamps of officials there.
Now, if someone gets scared and tries to reply to that email, cyber fraudsters extort money by intimidating them further. Yet many of these 'victims' might never have even surfed any pornographic sites. But cyber fraudsters are running their operations by capitalizing on their fear.
Not just I4C, in some cases, such letters are being sent in the name of the central Home Ministry or some central police officer as well.
According to cyber experts and police or intelligence agencies of various states, in all cases, criminals typically exploit people's ignorance, fear, or tendency toward greed for fraud. In this case, cyber criminals are choosing to exploit people's fear and ignorance.
Therefore, experts advise not to click on such pop-ups when they appear. Because malicious links are often sent through these pop-ups. If you click on them, cyber fraudsters can block your smart gadget's system through remote access. Then, if you go to pay money as they say, they can hack your bank account.
So what should you do?
When such pop-ups appear, instead of clicking on them, you should consult cyber experts. And you can file a complaint by taking screenshots or photos and going to this website: https://cybercrime.gov.in.
And if you receive emails or letters accusing you of watching porn sites or raising any such allegations in the name of any specific agency, there is no reason to be afraid. Because no police or intelligence agency will send you letters or emails in this manner. If you receive any such email or message, definitely file a complaint by calling your local police station or the concerned district's cybercrime station, or number 1930.
Remember, cyber criminals benefit only when you get scared and confused! Don't fall into that trap.
