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Mumbai: A new wave of fraudulent automated calls is targeting mobile phone users, falsely alleging involvement in traffic accidents and claiming that FIRs have been registered against them. The calls prompt recipients to press specific numbers for more details about the fabricated FIRs. In Mumbai, victims of such deceptive calls include an IPS officer attached to the cyber cell, a journalist, and a cybersecurity expert. All of them said they got alleged FIRs against them. Also, numerous Bengaluru residents contacted the traffic police to inquire about supposed accident cases involving their vehicles, only to learn that no such incidents had been officially recorded.
Investigations revealed that criminals were using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications to impersonate senior traffic police officers. The fraudsters sought to extort money by citing traffic violations and hit-and-run cases—all false. A cybersecurity specialist explained that the scams often escalate to include allegations of money laundering or drug-related activities. Victims are frequently coerced into transferring money to specific bank accounts, with fraudsters justifying the payments as part of income verification processes.
DIG (state cyber) Sanjay Shintre explained that criminals exploit the public’s “fear of the law” to perpetrate cyberfraud. “Such calls are made randomly. Many fall victim and end up losing money. One should understand that no law enforcement agency will come on video conferencing and carry out digital arrest,” he said.
Fraudsters use various tactics to trap the public, including impersonating traffic police, CBI, state and city police, CID, ED, DRI, Supreme Court, and more, Shintre said. “They continuously update their methods to stay ahead of public awareness. As people become more cautious about fake police calls, scammers have adapted by now posing as ‘traffic police’ while making calls.”
Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Anil Kumbhare said, “We do not make calls warning about complaints registered for traffic violations. Such calls are fraudulent. Cut such calls. Also, do not click suspicious links or download any suspicious attachments.”
Investigations revealed that criminals were using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications to impersonate senior traffic police officers. The fraudsters sought to extort money by citing traffic violations and hit-and-run cases—all false. A cybersecurity specialist explained that the scams often escalate to include allegations of money laundering or drug-related activities. Victims are frequently coerced into transferring money to specific bank accounts, with fraudsters justifying the payments as part of income verification processes.
DIG (state cyber) Sanjay Shintre explained that criminals exploit the public’s “fear of the law” to perpetrate cyberfraud. “Such calls are made randomly. Many fall victim and end up losing money. One should understand that no law enforcement agency will come on video conferencing and carry out digital arrest,” he said.
Fraudsters use various tactics to trap the public, including impersonating traffic police, CBI, state and city police, CID, ED, DRI, Supreme Court, and more, Shintre said. “They continuously update their methods to stay ahead of public awareness. As people become more cautious about fake police calls, scammers have adapted by now posing as ‘traffic police’ while making calls.”
Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Anil Kumbhare said, “We do not make calls warning about complaints registered for traffic violations. Such calls are fraudulent. Cut such calls. Also, do not click suspicious links or download any suspicious attachments.”
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