Bidhannagar Commissionerate issued an advisory on Saturday as cyber fraud cases are on the rise.

Fraudsters are using messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and social networking websites to spread messages that lure people with the promise of good jobs or high returns on their investments.

Others dupe people by asking them to share videos and earn money or by threatening legal action as their “parcels and packages have been detained by customs for containing banned narcotics or firearms”.

In areas policed by Bidhannagar Commissionerate like Salt Lake, New Town, Rajarhat, Baguiati, Kestopur and parts of Dum Dum, 25 cases of fraud where victims were
sent messages through Telegram, WhatsApp or social media websites have been reported in the past month. The victims collectively have lost more than Rs 5.46 crore in April alone, an officer of Bidhannagar Commissionerate said.

This has prompted Bidhannagar Commissionerate to issue several advisories on their official Facebook page, including Saturday’s one.

Sambiti Chakraborty, assistant commissioner of police, detective department, Bidhannagar, said any message from an unknown number should be treated with caution.

In a recent case, a man lost more than Rs 2.85 crore.

“The fraudsters promised to double his investment. He kept investing thinking the investments were being made at the stock market. In reality, no money was invested anywhere,” an officer added

In the Saturday’s advisory, the commissionerate has listed the steps one needs to take to avoid falling into such traps. They also gave a 24X7 cyber crime helpline number — 9038333444.

Gaurav Sharma, the commissioner of Bidhannagar Commissionerate, said videos had been created to educate people. “We are trying to raise awareness levels regarding cyber crimes and this advisory is an attempt at that,” he told Metro.