The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in India has decided to take action against the growing threat of cybercrime by implementing strict measures, initiating action against over 100 websites engaged in organised illegal investments and part-time job frauds.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit of the Union Home Ministry's National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU), detected and recommended blocking these fraud websites involved in organised illegal activities.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), using its authority under the Information Technology Act, 2000, has implemented the blocking of these websites following the NCTAU's findings.
According to an official statement, these websites were operated by overseas individuals, use digital advertisements, chat messengers, and rented accounts for their illicit activities. Ministry of Home Affairs investigations revealed the central role these websites played in task-based and organised illegal investment frauds, illicit gains were sent overseas through various means, including card networks, cryptocurrency, overseas ATM withdrawals, and international fintech companies.
The main targets of these fraudulent schemes were retirees, women, and unemployed youth, who were trapped in through strategically placed digital advertisements on major platforms like Google and Meta.
Fraudsters employed enticing keywords such as "Ghar baithe job" (work from home jobs) in multiple languages, engaging victims on popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The victim is convinced to perform simple tasks such as video likes, subscribe, maps rating, etc., with the promise of receiving a commission. Initially, the commission is provided, enticing the victim to invest more for increased returns on given tasks. Once the victim deposits a larger sum, the deposits are frozen, leading to the duping of the victim.
As a precaution, citizens are strongly advised against participating in high-commission online schemes and to avoid financial transactions with unknown individuals on messaging platforms.
Emphasising the importance of verifying UPI app receivers, the Ministry of Home Affairs warned against transactions with unknown accounts, citing the potential for involvement in money laundering, terror financing, and the risk of legal repercussions, including account blocking by law enforcement agencies.
Led by the Home Ministry, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) plays a pivotal role in constant efforts to combat cybercrimes in the country through a coordinated and comprehensive approach. The recent action against these websites underscores the government's unwavering commitment to curbing cybercrimes and safeguarding citizens from fraudulent online activities.
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