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| Cyber fraudsters exploit 8th pay commission excitement to target employees | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 15: After duping unsuspecting residents through a fake mobile application that claimed to facilitate water bill payments, cyber fraudsters have now shifted their focus to government employees — this time exploiting the buzz around the upcoming 8th Pay Commission.
With anticipation building among employees over potential salary revisions under the proposed 8th Pay Commission, scammers are attempting to cash in on the excitement. Police have warned that fraudsters are circulating deceptive messages on WhatsApp, claiming to offer a quick way to calculate revised salaries once the new pay commission recommendations are implemented.
According to officials, government employees are receiving messages urging them to download an APK file to “instantly check” their updated salary structure under the 8th Pay Commission. The message typically promises a detailed breakdown of revised pay, arrears, and allowances, making it appear authentic and enticing.
However, the APK file is malicious.
Cybercrime officials said that the moment the file is downloaded and installed, fraudsters gain unauthorized access to the victim’s mobile phone. This can allow them to access sensitive information, including banking credentials, passwords, personal data, and even one-time passwords (OTPs), potentially leading to financial losses.
Authorities have cautioned government employees not to download any application or file from unofficial sources and to rely only on official government notifications for information related to pay revisions. They have also advised users to avoid installing APK files received through WhatsApp or other messaging platforms, as these files bypass standard security checks available on official app stores.
Police have urged citizens to report any such suspicious messages immediately to the cybercrime helpline and have reiterated that salary revisions under any pay commission will be officially communicated through proper government channels — not through private links or downloadable files.
The latest scam highlights how fraudsters continue to adapt their tactics, targeting public sentiment and exploiting current issues to trap unsuspecting victims. |
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