Margao: With cyber crime cases showing a sharp rise across South Goa, police have launched a series of awareness sessions to educate residents on recognising and avoiding online fraud, even as the Margao town police station reports handling at least five such cases every day.PSI Sudesh Dessai of the Margao town police station said the frequency of complaints had prompted the drive. “We have been trying to create awareness among the public on how to prevent falling prey to fraud, and on the steps victims should take,” he said.The sessions are being held for the public, particularly students and the elderly, who are often targeted by fraudsters.Among the scams flagged during these sessions is one involving a malicious .APK file circulated over WhatsApp. Fraudsters send the file under the guise of a traffic challan notification, prompting recipients to download it. “If one opens the .APK file, the mobile phone gets compromised and all UPI apps get hacked, and one may lose money from their bank accounts,” Dessai warned. He clarified that genuine traffic challans are never sent via WhatsApp. “Don’t click on .APK files or any suspicious links,” he said.Police have also advised residents to install the govt-recognised M Kavach app, which scans phones for hidden malware and harmful applications and allows users to delete them. For nuisance or spam calls, residents have been asked to report the numbers through the Sanchar Saathi portal.Victims of cyber fraud have been urged to act quickly by calling the national helpline 1930 or filing a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
