In recent months, a troubling phone scam has been targeting mobile users across India. Fraudsters posing as police officers deceive unsuspecting victims into believing they are involved in criminal activities. These calls often originate with the ISD code for Pakistan (+92), adding an international layer to the scam. With the rise in complaints, it is essential to understand how these scammers operate and learn how to protect ourselves.
The Scam’s Modus Operandi
The scam begins with a call displaying the +92 prefix, which corresponds to Pakistan. The caller, posing as a police officer, provides a fabricated badge number and claims the recipient is implicated in serious crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or involvement in terrorist activities. The scammer’s tone is authoritative, and they threaten the victim with immediate arrest unless they comply with their demands.
Victims are then instructed to transfer money to a specific account or share sensitive personal information. Some have even been coerced into revealing their bank details, resulting in financial losses.
DoT’s Advisory
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has warned mobile users to be cautious of calls from foreign numbers, particularly those starting with +92, on WhatsApp. The Ministry of Communications’ advisory urges users not to disclose any information to callers claiming to be government officials threatening to disconnect their mobile numbers due to alleged illegal activities.
“Cyber criminals through such calls try to threaten or steal personal information to carry out cybercrime or financial frauds. The DoT does not authorize anyone to make such calls on its behalf,” the advisory states. It advises the public to stay vigilant and refrain from sharing any information when receiving such calls.
Reporting Fraudulent Calls
The DoT has encouraged the public to report these fraudulent calls using the ‘Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in).
For those who have fallen victim to cybercrimes or financial frauds, the advisory directs them to report the incidents to the cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Subject: Concerns Regarding the Functioning of Rani Channamma University, Belgaum
Dear Editor,
Good morning. Thank you for the wonderful coverage of all the issues pertinent and relevant to Belgaum.
One issue that is really important and seems to have missed your attention is the working of Rani Channamma University of Belgaum. This university is functioning in a totally ad hoc and unprofessional manner without any accountability and concerns to the students academic career. As of now, the results take anywhere between 6 to 8 months to be declared after the conduction of the exams. They do not regularly publish an academic calendar, and they also do not have any systematic procedures regarding any aspect of their functioning.
Additionally, all the semesters are currently out of sync. The first semester of the 2023-24 batch has recently been completed, and students can expect the results only 6 to 8 months later. Now, students in the final year of UG programs are going to lose one academic year due to the Mal-administration of the university. The sixth semester has just started and is expected to get over sometime in September or October, with the results expected to come out around March of next year.
Please highlight these critical issues by interviewing all the relevant authorities, including the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, the Evaluation and so on, and collecting feedback from various students and parents. This will greatly benefit all the young students, and God will bless you for this wonderful initiative you shall take.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Your help in ensuring accountability is greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
As a Parent of a student studying in a affiliated college, Dr. Rakesh has highlighted a very pertinent issue. Please report in detail, escalate it and do the needful. Parents and students shall be ever grateful to you. Look forward to your initiative to provide justice to the students.
Justice for RCUB students!!!