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| Fraudsters exploit water bill payments, circulate malicious Jal Shakti App | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 14: Fraudsters have devised a new method to dupe unsuspecting residents of Jammu city by circulating a fake mobile application in the name of the Jal Shakti Department, targeting citizens who usually clear their annual water bills before March 31 each year.
According to officials, several people have already fallen victim to the scam, losing money and sensitive personal data after installing a malicious mobile application titled “JalShakti.apk,” which is being widely shared through WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
The Cyber Crime Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police has issued a public advisory, warning citizens not to download or install any application received through private messaging platforms claiming to be linked with the Jal Shakti Department.
Officials said the fraudsters are deliberately misusing the name of the government department to gain the trust of innocent citizens. “It has come to our notice that cyber fraudsters are circulating a malicious mobile application titled ‘JalShakti.apk’ through WhatsApp and other social media platforms. The general public is informed that government departments do not circulate APK files through WhatsApp, SMS, or private messaging applications,” the advisory stated.
Sources said the fake app is often forwarded from the number of a known contact whose phone has already been compromised, making the message appear authen Fraudsters have devised a new method to dupe unsuspecting residents of Jammu city by circulating a fake mobile application
They are targeting citizens who usually clear their annual water bills before March 31 each year.
Several people have already fallen victim to the scam, losing money and sensitive personal data after installing a malicious mobile application titled “JalShakti.apk,”
Once installed, the malicious app can gain access to the user’s SMS inbox and intercept One-Time Passwords (OTPs). It can also steal internet banking credentials, hijack WhatsApp accounts, access contact lists, and extract other sensitive data stored on the device. This enables fraudsters to carry out unauthorized financial transactions and further spread the malicious link to more contacts.
Cyber experts have cautioned that such APK files, when installed outside official app stores, can give attackers remote access to the device without the user’s knowledge. In many cases, victims realize the fraud only after money is debited from their bank accounts.
The Cyber Crime Department has urged citizens to verify all payment-related communications directly through official websites or by visiting the concerned office in person. People have been advised not to click on suspicious links, not to share OTPs or banking details with anyone, and to immediately report any such incidents to the cyber helpline 1930 or the nearest police station.
Authorities have appealed to the public to remain vigilant, especially during the period when annual utility payments are due, as fraudsters tend to exploit such timelines to carry out scams under the guise of government services. |
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