Impersonating bosses or senior officials send urgent messages on WhatsApp/email, attempting everything from transferring money to stealing sensitive data
The State View Sunil Sharma
Jaipur. Following the instructions of Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma, the Cyber Crime Branch of Rajasthan Police has appealed to the public, especially managers, accountants, and other employees working in companies, to be wary of cyber fraud, known as the ‘Boss Scam,’ a practice perpetrated by posing as a fake boss. Cyber fraudsters use social engineering techniques to contact individuals via WhatsApp, email, or SMS, posing as company bosses, senior officials, or business partners, and pressure them to transfer money immediately, purchase gift cards, share data, or provide confidential information. Additional Director General of Police Cyber Crime VK Singh stated that cybercriminals first gather information related to the company, its key officials, email patterns, contacts, and social media. The employee is then contacted by impersonating a senior officer. To build trust, the fraudsters use real names, positions, projects, and other authentic information, making the employee believe the message is genuine.
Attempts to access WhatsApp by installing malware on the computer
ADG Singh explained that cybercriminals may attempt to gain information through Trojan horse malware on office laptops or desktops. If the desktop is linked to WhatsApp, they can hijack the QR code, attach their own photo to WhatsApp, and send a message to the employee in the name of the boss, requesting a money transfer. The fraudsters then pressure the employee to make an immediate payment, purchase a gift card, transfer data, or provide confidential information. The defrauded funds can be further transferred through a mule account, crypto, or cash withdrawal.
Identify a Boss Scam with These Signs
Rajasthan Police have listed some key signs to identify such cyber fraud:
° Sudden or minor changes in email addresses
° Unusual contact after office hours.
° Pressure to make extremely urgent or confidential transactions.
° Instructions to immediately transfer money to a new or unknown bank account.
° Avoiding phone or video calls.
° Unusual or serious mistakes in language and grammar.
° Receiving unusual financial instructions via WhatsApp, email, or call.
*One call can save the company a significant amount of money*
Be sure to confirm any financial or data-related request in person or by calling the person’s official phone number. Never make any payment based solely on instructions received via WhatsApp or email. Also, carefully check the full email address and domain name instead of relying solely on the display name. Companies should implement a multilevel approval system for high-value or unusual payments and use only approved payment processes and authorized communication channels.
*Security of WhatsApp and the system is also important*
Rajasthan Police has advised employees to log out of unnecessary sessions on WhatsApp Web and linked devices, keep their system, antivirus, and security software updated, and enable two-factor verification on WhatsApp.
If you are scammed, report it immediately to 1930.
Rajasthan Police has appealed that if anyone becomes a victim of a cyber scam or attempts such fraud, they should immediately report it to the nearest police station, cyber police station, or cybercrime reporting portal. In case of financial cyber fraud, immediately contact the cyber helpline at 1930. Additionally, information can be reported to the cyber helpdesk numbers 9256001930 and 9257510100.
Author: thestateview
“The State View” में आपका स्वागत है! www.thestateview.com भारत का एक अग्रणी और सत्यप्रिय समाचार पोर्टल है, जो अपने पाठकों को सटीक, विश्वसनीय और निष्पक्ष समाचार प्रदान करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है। हम आपको हर क्षेत्र में, चाहे वह धर्म, राजनीति, अपराध, खेल, विज्ञान, तकनीक, मनोरंजन, स्वास्थ्य या अन्य महत्वपूर्ण घटनाएँ हों, नवीनतम अपडेट्स और तथ्यपूर्ण रिपोर्ट्स प्रदान करते हैं। हमारा उद्देश्य
