Thiruvananthapuram: Cyber police have issued a warning about a new cyber fraud in which scammers misuse the chief minister’s image in fake advertisements circulating on social media platforms. According to police, the fraudsters are spreading advertisements, particularly on Facebook, claiming that users can easily earn Rs 12,000 if they have the PhonePe application installed on their mobile phones. The ads prominently display the chief minister’s image, making them appear credible and prompting users to click on the link. Police clarified that when a user clicks on the advertisement, the PhonePe app automatically opens on the phone. The screen then shows a transaction page displaying an amount of Rs 1,499. Many users assume that they are about to receive this amount and proceed to enter their UPI PIN. However, police clarified that the page is actually a payment request to send Rs 1,499, not to receive money. When the PIN is entered without noticing this detail, the amount is instantly transferred from the victim’s bank account to the fraudster’s account.Police said advertisements promising easy money or containing images of well-known personalities on social media should be treated with suspicion as they are often part of cyber fraud schemes.Police also reminded users that UPI PINs are required only to send money and never to receive payments.People have been advised to carefully check payment request pages and avoid clicking on suspicious links or buttons on social media platforms. If such fraudulent advertisements are noticed, they should be reported immediately. Victims of cyber fraud can lodge complaints through the national cybercrime portal or by contacting the cyber helpline number 1930, police said.
