TGCSB Alerts Public About Sankranti Digital Fraud

Hyderabad:In view of `Sankranthi` festive season approaching,

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) cautioned citizens the increased danger of cyberfrauds and online scams that tend to increase during the festive period, ahead of Sankranti next week.

TGCSB director Shikha Goel in a statement said the bureau had observed a rise in frauds involving fake Sankranti offers, discounts, and cashback links circulated through WhatsApp, SMS, and social media platforms.

Cybercriminals take advantage of heightened online activity and digital transactions to target unsuspecting individuals, director Goel said.

In addition, citizens are being targeted through fraudulent bus, train, flight, and cruise booking websites, scam messages claiming Sankranti gifts, prize money, or lucky draws, bogus online shopping links offering festival deals at unusually low prices, and fake instant loan or easy credit offers promoted during festive expenses, the statement said.

TGCSB cautioned that such scams begin with Sankranti greetings or offers sent via messaging platforms. These links often redirect victims to fake websites or prompt them to download malicious APK files. Once clicked or installed, fraudsters are able to steal OTPs, banking credentials, and personal information. In several cases, compromised accounts are further misused to defraud family members and contacts of the victim, the TGCSB said.

Many of these fraudulent links are shared through trusted contacts and family groups, making them appear genuine and significantly increasing the risk of victimisation during the festive season.