SOCIAL MEDIA SCAMS AND CYBERCRIMES

 

“I am calling from the Police Department. Your parcel has been seized by Customs and we have found drugs in it”

“This is the Enforcement Directorate. Your accounts and your phones are under surveillance and we believe your business is in gross violation of GST rules”

“This is the Cyber-Police Cell. Your daughter who studies in XYZ College in Delhi has been involved in a sex scandal and we have her videos in our possession.”

All these are how the new age social media scams, cyber-frauds or cyber-crimes start. What follows is a horrible charade of cyber-arrest, presentation in front of a cyber-court, monitory fine and swindling of one’s life’s earnings. Businessmen, Doctors, Engineers, IAS officers and even solicitors have fallen prey to this new age crime.

So, how can you deal with this assault and avoid financial bankruptcy and emotional devastation? Don’t panic and stay alert. CBI, Police, Customs, ED, Judges do not arrest you on a voice call or video call. Cyber-arrest is a fraud and has no place in our Indian constitution. Report such calls to www.cybercrime.gov.in or call the Cybercrime helpline at 1930. You can also follow Cyber Dost on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

 

Senior Citizens are easy targets

As we age, our finances become more important to secure a comfortable and independent future. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this vulnerability and target seniors with deceptive schemes designed to steal their hard-earned money. These scams can be incredibly sophisticated and can prey on a senior's trust or sense of urgency. The consequences of falling victim to such scams can be devastating, leaving victims with emotional distress and significant financial hardship.  To help you protect yourself and your loved ones, you need the knowledge to identify and avoid these scams.

1. The Grandparent Scam

This scam exploits a senior's love and concern for their family. Scammers often target landline phones, posing as a terrified grandchild. They can claim to be in trouble with the law, need money for bail or legal bills, or be caught up in an unexpected travel situation requiring immediate funding. The urgency of the situation is a key tactic here. Scammers will often instill a sense of desperation, asking the grandparent not to inform other family members and to move quickly to give money electronically or via prepaid gift cards. They can also use voice modification methods to sound more like an actual grandchild. This fraud takes advantage of a senior's natural desire to help their loved ones in need. However, a red flag should go up if the caller refuses to identify themselves clearly, refuses to connect the senior to the supposed parent, or insists on untraceable payment methods. Always encourage elders to verify the story directly with their child or another trusted family member before sending any money.

 

2. The Health Insurance Scam

Scammers also target seniors who are with some health insurance coverage. They may contact elders by phone, email, or in person, disguised as representatives from a health insurance company, or a government body. Their end goal is to steal personal information such as Aadhaar and PAN numbers. This information might be used to file fake medical claims or commit identity theft. Seniors should contact their current insurance provider directly to confirm the legitimacy of any unsolicited offer that requires sharing personal information or paying upfront fees for insurance services.

 

3. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams target seniors who may be less tech-savvy yet rely heavily on computers for communication and everyday work. Scammers use scare tactics, bombarding elders with pop-up messages or phone calls claiming that their computer has a virus, serious safety flaws, or is running slowly. They coerce the senior into granting them remote access to their computer, allowing them to install malware or steal personal information. Furthermore, they may provide needless "repair services" for a hefty fee, even though the problems are fabricated. Personal and banking details on the computer can then be accessed and misused to withdraw funds.

 

4. Sweepstakes/Lottery Scams

The lure of winning a life-changing sum of money can be enticing, particularly for seniors living on a limited income. Sweepstakes and lottery scammers prey on this desire by pestering elders with unsolicited calls, letters, or even emails saying they've won a massive prize. The catch? To claim their "winnings," the victim must first pay upfront fees or taxes. These expenses are sometimes disguised as processing fees, administrative charges, or "insurance" to secure the prize. However, after sending the money, the victim never receives the winnings, and the fraudster disappears. Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes will never ask for money to claim a prize. Seniors should never send money based on unsolicited offers, even if they appear to be legitimate.

 

Facebook / Instagram / WhatsApp / Telegram / X Scams

It seems like every time you log onto Facebook, another scam rears its ugly head. Turns out, it's not just you. Over 60% of users on the platform report running into scams every single week – more than any other social media giant. The truth is, whether we're double-tapping on Instagram, scrolling through TikToks, which is now banned in India, or catching up on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), social media has become a constant companion, and scammers have taken notice. Scam ads are more prevalent than ever, lurking in the corners of our feeds, waiting to trick unsuspecting users. These ads often promise too-good-to-be-true deals, offer fake products, or lead you to shady websites, all designed to steal your personal information or money.  Knowing how to spot scam ads and protect yourself can make all the difference. Here’s how you can protect yourself on social media and stay one step ahead of the scammers.

 

1. Too-good-to-be-true offers

These ads promise amazing deals that seem unreal. You might see a luxury watch for 90% off or a free vacation, but if it sounds too fantastic, it probably is! Scammers lure you in with these offers to grab your attention and some of your cash. Always research any deal you come across that’s way below market price. If it's unbelievable, it’s worth putting on your “scam radar.”

 

2. Fake celebrity endorsements

Scammers love using images of celebrities to make their ads more credible. They might claim a famous person is endorsing a product or offering a giveaway. AI has made it very easy to use a celebrity’s image, video and voice to convince you to make very profitable investments. Industry barons like Narayan Murthy, Media celebs like Palki Sharma, Stock market gurus like Ashish Kacholia are always endorsing fantastic stocks which you can buy for pittance today and be a multi-millionaire in the next two years! Check if the celebrity has actually made such a post or if it’s just a stolen photo. Legitimate endorsements usually link back to official accounts.

 

3. Phony giveaways

“Congratulations, you’ve won!” Sound familiar? Ads that claim you’ve won something, or are giving away high-end items for free, often lead to phishing sites. They usually ask for personal information like your address or credit card details in exchange for your “prize.” Legit giveaways won’t require sensitive info upfront, so always be cautious.

 

4. Subscription traps

These ads lure you in with a free trial or a seemingly low-cost subscription. After signing up, you may find yourself unknowingly locked into expensive monthly payments. Always read the fine print before committing to a trial. If you notice confusing terms or hidden fees, it’s a red flag. Legitimate companies will make their subscription terms clear, so always ensure you know what you’re signing up for!

 

5. Phishing links

Phishing scams are rampant on social media. You might receive a message with a link that claims you’ve won something or need to verify your account. Or you might come across an advertizement claiming the same on some social media site. Clicking on such links can lead to malicious websites designed to steal your personal information. Always be cautious about clicking on unknown links, especially if they come from unfamiliar accounts. When in doubt, go straight to the official site instead of following the link. Remember Maruti, Tata Motors, Hyundai or Honda do not give away free cars to celebrate their sales landmarks!

 

6. Impersonation ads

These ads mimic legitimate businesses, with fake websites or social media pages that appear to be genuine. They often target well-known brands, making it hard to tell the difference. Before clicking or buying, make sure you’re dealing with the official account by looking for verified badges or searching for the company directly.

 

7. Romance scams

These are particularly heart-wrenching. Scammers create fake profiles to build romantic relationships, only to eventually ask for money or personal information. They might claim they need funds for travel, medical bills, or other emergencies. Be cautious of new connections who quickly express deep feelings and avoid sharing financial details. What is unfortunate is that seniors often fall prey to such scams as they are lonely and feel that an affair in the evening of their life won’t harm, but it almost always does.

 

8. Social media quizzes

Ever come across a fun quiz that promises to reveal something about your personality? While many are harmless, some are designed to gather your personal information. Scammers may use these quizzes to collect data for phishing or identity theft. If a quiz requires you to provide sensitive info, like your phone number or email, it’s best to skip it. Stick to reputable sources and always be cautious about what info you share online! Always quiz the intention of the quiz-maker and why are they keen to help you to win the contest.

 

9. Investment/crypto scams

With the rise of crypto-currency, investment scams have flourished. Advertisements may promise guaranteed returns or insider strategies that promise to double your investment overnight. Often, these scams are too good to be true and lead to financial loss. Always conduct thorough research before investing in any scheme. Remember, legitimate investments won’t promise quick returns and will involve inherent risks. Don’t let the promise of quick riches push you into making hasty decisions!

Stock market unsolicited tips are invariably fraud. If I know that stock ABC is going to fetch me a 200% profit in the next six months why will I advertize it to the world? Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has died long back but he is still giving stock advice on the internet and in Facebook!

 

10. Impersonating established entities

It has been observed that fake/deceptive/fraudulent WhatsApp/Telegram groups/accounts have been created impersonating the Franklin Templeton or Blackrock brand names. These groups are illegally using their logo and name to deceive innocent individuals. Without obtaining any authorization from the regulator to provide investment advice, they recommend securities for investment, promise high returns on such investments, aiming to swindle funds into unfamiliar bank accounts. One must always verify the authenticity of these accounts by going straight to the company site.

 

What to do when you encounter a scam advertisements on social media 

If you come across a scam advert, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do:

1. Don’t click: First and foremost, resist the urge to click on the ad. Even a quick tap can lead to trouble, like downloading malware or being redirected to a phishing site.

2. Report it: Most social media platforms have options to report suspicious ads. Look for the "Report" or "Flag" button, usually found near the ad. Select the appropriate reason, like "Scam" or "Phishing."

3. Block the advertiser: If you can identify the advertiser, block them to prevent seeing more of their content. This helps keep your feed clean and reduces the risk of exposure.

4. Warn others: Share your experience with friends and family. A quick message or post can help them avoid the same scam. Awareness is key to staying safe.

5. Check your accounts: If you think you might have fallen for the scam, check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Consider changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for added security.

 

The moral of the story is that money has to be earned by hard work and there is no short-cut to prosperity. Even the fraudsters are working hard to con you. So be alert, don’t panic and don’t share your personal details, Aadhaar, PAN and insurance details with anyone. Don’t be greedy and don’t be naïve, no one will, out of the goodness of one’s heart, unearth a fortune for you, you will have to earn it by the old fashioned way. Cyber-crimes must not be suffered in silence and solitude but immediately reported to the police and there is no provision of Cyber Arrest in our constitution. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) has stringent penalties for cyber-crime- imprisonment for 3 years or fine up to Rs. 500,000 or both. You can help the government by reporting such crimes by ringing the helpline 1930 or leaving your complain on www.cybercrime.gov.in

Six out of 10 individuals receive at least three spam calls a day and nine out of ten receive at least one spam text message. Telephone service operators are now launching an AI driven spam detection solution and one operator, Airtel, has flagged 1.12 crore (11.2 million) phone calls as spam and alerted their U.P based customers. Other operators will soon follow. Cybercriminals however will always remain a step ahead and it is the end user who has to become smart and avoid these social media and cyber-fraud quicksand.