Mohali: Exploiting the festive season, cyber fraudsters are targeting people through fake Diwali greetings, online gift messages and links promising festive hampers and special offers.With people being duped through such tricks, including in Zirakpur and Kharar, Mohali Police have warned residents against clicking on suspicious links or opening unknown PDF attachments received through WhatsApp, SMS and other online platforms.Recent FIRs registered in connection with cyber frauds involving Diwali gift messages in Zirakpur and Kharar have highlighted how scammers are using festive greetings and gift offers to lure unsuspecting people. The police said similar reports of people being targeted through such fraudulent links had also emerged from other parts of Punjab.DSP Cyber Fraud Cell Varinder Singh Khosa said fraudsters were circulating messages disguised as Diwali wishes, digital gift envelopes, greeting cards and special festive offers to redirect people to fraudulent websites and extract sensitive information.“Whenever you receive Diwali greetings through an unfamiliar link, a special webpage or a digital gift envelope, think twice before clicking on it. Even if the message comes from someone you know, do not assume it is genuine, as the sender’s phone could have been compromised. Always verify whether the link belongs to an authorised website before opening it,” he cautioned.The DSP said many such reports had surfaced from different parts of Punjab, with cybercriminals exploiting people’s enthusiasm for festive greetings, online shopping and gift hampers. He advised people to exercise caution even when messages were received from known contacts, as their mobile phones or WhatsApp accounts could have been compromised and misused to circulate fraudulent links.He further cautioned residents against sharing banking credentials, UPI details or net banking information with anyone while making online purchases or claiming festive gifts.The DSP said anyone falling victim to cyber financial fraud should immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930. Prompt reporting enables authorities to trace fraudulent transactions and initiate steps to freeze the defrauded amount in the beneficiary account, wherever possible, and facilitate recovery.Police have urged residents to verify every festive offer before clicking on links and immediately report any cyber financial fraud by calling 1930.Cyber frauds to watch out for this DiwaliFake Diwali greetings: Messages containing suspicious links to open specially designed festive greeting cards or wishesDigital gift envelopes: Links claiming to offer surprise cash gifts, vouchers or festive gift envelopesFake gift hampers and offers: Fraudulent websites promising Diwali gifts, discounts and shopping rewards to steal users’ informationMalicious PDF attachments: Unknown PDFs or files sent in the name of festive greetings that may compromise mobile phones or expose personal informationCompromised WhatsApp accounts: Fraudulent links circulated through the accounts of friends or acquaintances whose phones may have been compromisedFake shopping websites: Unauthorised portals designed to collect banking details, UPI credentials and other sensitive information
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