As per experts, if you're receiving missed calls, messages, or WhatsApp calls from international numbers starting with +254, +84, +63, or others, it's advised to "report and block" them. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Home Ministry is spreading this alert to protect people from falling prey to cybercrime.
Forensics and data analysis experts, who are actively working to combat this issue for the government, have cautioned that these numbers may be originating from countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. These international numbers may be used by malicious individuals to obtain financial information unlawfully.
"This is a new cybercrime trend. People across India irrespective of their profession have been receiving calls and missed calls on WhatsApp from +254, +84, +63, +1(218) or other international numbers, and some of them have become victims of cybercrime. It has become more frequent," an expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics told ANI on condition of anonymity.
"Cyber awareness and hygiene are one of the important aspects in policing and it is a much-appreciated initiative," the official added.
"From early morning between 6 am to 7 am or late in the night, such calls are being received by people from all groups whether he or she is a private employee, businessman, retired government officer or even school and college boy or girl. We need to be just aware of such calls."
A message received from a number starting with +243 said: "Hello, my name is Allena, may I take a few minutes of your time?"
"Now that the 5G era of the Internet has arrived, there are already many people who make money through the Internet. I believe you know it too. I must be added to make money. If you don't speak, you may miss an opportunity at a turning point in your life. There are not many opportunities. I hope you see and then respond to my message," the message said.
If a person or organization is the victim of a cyber-attack, the situation can be reported on the cybercrime.gov.in website, according to the experts, who added that "focused work is being done by the central agencies with the help of I4C to curb the cyber menace."
In March, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and stated that the wing is trying to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of a cyber-success society. He went on to say that the I4C allows for effective and seamless cooperation among all agencies and states in the fight against cybercrime.
Since its inauguration in 2018, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, a "special purpose unit" of the Centre, has saved over Rs 12 crore from cybercrime victims.
