Receiving a call from an unfamiliar number starting with +92 should be avoided, as per a cybersecurity alert issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. These calls may be orchestrated by fraudsters seeking to extract sensitive information from individuals, potentially resulting in financial harm.
The advisory, issued in August 2020, cautions against answering regular or WhatsApp calls from numbers bearing the country code +92, which corresponds to Pakistan. Such calls could be part of a ploy to acquire confidential data like OTPs or bank login credentials, which can then be misused for fraudulent purposes.
Fraudsters employ various tactics to appear legitimate, such as impersonating bank officials, offering enticing deals, or feigning emergencies to solicit financial aid. Once they obtain the necessary information, victims may struggle to recover their funds, as scammers swiftly transfer them to fake accounts or make unauthorized purchases online.
To safeguard against such scams, individuals are advised to refrain from answering calls from unfamiliar international numbers, including those starting with +92. If inadvertently answering such a call, it’s crucial not to disclose any personal or financial details over the phone.
In addition to phone calls, cybercriminals may resort to web and email-based scams to defraud unsuspecting individuals. These attacks often involve fake websites designed to capture sensitive information or phishing emails aimed at tricking recipients into divulging personal data or making unauthorized payments.
To mitigate the risk of falling victim to such scams, it’s advisable to exercise caution while browsing the internet and handling emails. Stick to reputable websites, and always verify the authenticity of the sender before sharing any sensitive information.
