Cyber fraudsters eye govt officials and professionals

LUCKNOW: A sharp spike has been noticed in the number of cybercrime cases registered this year and mostly professionals and government servants have been targeted by the conmen. The sleuths of cyber cell said that a gang operating from national capital region gained access to financial data through banks, insurance agencies and courier agencies and targeted victims in Lucknow.

Till October this year, 1,900 cases of cyber fraud were reported in which 1,026 professionals were targeted.

In comparison, total 1,725 cases were lodged in 2017, and only 417 victims were professionals. In 2017, housewives constituted the highest number of victims — 828 —, while this year only 374 have lodged complaints so far. Cyber cell officials said that one gang based in NCR, and another from Jharkhand and Bihar have been found involved in cyber fraud cases lodged in the city. The officials further said that they have cracked over 70 % cases this year.

Officials also said that after demonetization, there has been an increase in use of digital transactions and more people have started using them but people lacking in awareness fall prey to cyber criminals.

Cyber cell nodal in charge Abhay Mishra said that the victims shared OTP after revealing credit, debit card details and were duped.

“This year, since January 5, a reverse trend has been seen. Professionals have been targeted the most followed by retired persons and then housewives,” said Mishra. In most cases, the accused arrested were contractual employees of banks, insurance agencies or courier agents. They used to steal card data and noted the phone number of customers during delivery of cards, Mishra added. The contractual employees work in connivance with bank employees. Mishra cautioned people to not to respond to calls and mails seeking bank and card details as banks never ask for such details on phone or email.