Citizens lost Rs 100 Cr in debit & credit card frauds
By Aiswarya Sriram Published on 4 Feb 2020 5:01 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Forget reel life'Jamtara’ series on Netflix, this real-life drama has all the ingredients of action and masala.
Data released by the union finance ministry reveals that Rs.100 crore worth Debit and Credit card fraud was committed by online phishing fraudsters till September 2019. A total of 30965 cases of fraud have been registered by the law enforcing agencies.
Jamtara is a district in Jharkhand known for committing such frauds.‘Jamtara’ series on Netflix shows how a cybercriminal based in Jharkhand, conveniently phish out details of banking cards from gullible people on phone.
Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur told Lok Sabha that in 2017, a total of 34791 cases amounting to Rs 168.99 crore frauds were registered. In 2018, 52304 cases amounting to 149.42 crores of fraud were registered.
“During a phone call, the fraudsters warn the people that their card may be blocked. Frightened victims immediately fall into their trap and share details including OTP. Later the fraudsters use the details to withdraw money from their account,” said SP CID, U Rama Mohan.
Most of the fraudsters are in the age group of 20 to 30 years and their victims are from all walks of life, said Rama Mohan.
“The youth work in call centres in Delhi and learn how to talk on phones. Later they train other people from their village. They are running it like a cottage industry in Jamtara area. Since Jamtara is now under surveillance the fraudsters have shifted to Bengal and Bihar,” said Rama Mohan.
The police officer advised people to be careful and not fall into the trap of online fraudsters. “Even after conducting so many awareness programmes, people share personal details like ATM pin and OTP, which should be avoided,” he said.
