Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cybercrime police advised citizens to stay alert against a surge in online fraud during the festive season.
Officials stated that, fraudsters often exploit increased online shopping, travel bookings and event planning by luring victims with fake lottery wins, gift offers, holiday packages, party passes, hotel bookings and refund messages.
Scams related to counterfeit New Year event passes, fake travel and resort bookings, bogus cab and rental services, fraudulent charity appeals, and seasonal job offers have also often been reported.
The advisory cautions people against clicking on unknown links received via SMS, WhatsApp, email or social media, and sharing sensitive information such as OTPs, PINs, CVV numbers or bank details.
Police urged citizens to verify offers and bookings only through official websites, avoid scanning unknown QR codes or approving suspicious UPI requests. In case of any cyber fraud, victims are advised to immediately report the incident at www.cybercrime.gov.in or call the national cyber crime helpline 1930.