Cyber fraudsters are now targeting citizens, posing as electrical employees of power companies and fleecing their hard-earned money.

Following several such incidents in the recent past, the Telangana Police has released an advisory asking citizens not to fall prey to such gimmicks. Cyber fraudsters are sending messages like “Dear customer, your electricity/power will be disconnected tonight at 9.30 p.m from the electricity office. Please immediately call the electricity officer no 891746xxx0.”

“If you receive such messages, don’t believe it. Do not download any app. Do not pay any amount to anyone. Many have already been cheated. Will you be cheated?” the authorities.

The advisory has been issued by the Telangana Cyber Crime Coordination Center) T4C.
The fraudsters ask the caller (victim) to download the “Team Viewer QuickSupport App” to update the mobile number and ask them to fill in personal details on the app and make an initial payment of a small amount. Once done, they ask them to wait until a new number is officially registered in the records.
“Once the app is downloaded and installed on the gadget the fraudster takes control of the mobile phone through remote access. Everything can be accessed including bank accounts, Google accounts and all financial wallets/accounts etc and money is withdrawn without knowledge of the victim,” an official of the Cybercrime police station told an English newspaper.

The police have advised citizens not to respond to such messages received from unknown numbers. “Instead call the helpline or visit the local electricity office to check with them,” the official.
The state cyber crime department noticed that the fraudsters are sending messages mostly in the morning hours when people are at work. In all the work stress, the receiver sees the message saying there will be a power cut today, they immediately call back in frustration and get trapped by them.

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