SIR Form Scam: This cunning trick of fraudsters will empty your account and you will be left in a mess
Cyber Crime Cases: Cyber criminals are targeting people by taking advantage of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Voter ID Verification (SIR) campaign. Let us explain how fraudsters are plotting to empty people's bank accounts and how you can protect yourself from this.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is running a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign to verify and update voter IDs. Cyber fraudsters are now taking advantage of this and preying on people under the guise of the SIR form.
Several such cases have come to light where attempts have been made to defraud people in the name of updating the voter list. Recently, the Home Department of the Madhya Pradesh government issued an advisory from the X account, advising people to be wary of scams being perpetrated in the name of the SIR form.
What is Sir: What is Sir?
This is the Election Commission of India's (ECI) door-to-door voter list verification process. According to the ECI, the objective of this campaign is to create a voter list that is completely accurate, containing the correct names of every eligible voter, and free of duplicate, fake, or ineligible names.
SIR Scam: How is the scam working?
Cyber fraudsters are sending fake links and APK files to people using the name of SIR. Scammers call posing as election officials and say, "Your name may be removed from the voter list. Fill out this form immediately." They ask for an OTP to empty bank accounts or steal phone data.
So, no matter what, you should never share your OTP with strangers. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) or any other government official will never ask for your OTP, so always remember this. Sharing your OTP could result in your account being emptied.
What information do scammers ask for in the name of SIR?
The scammers' goal is to steal your banking data, so they ask for sensitive information in the name of SIR, such as your full name, address, Aadhaar details, OTP received on your mobile number, and bank details, etc. To avoid getting scammed, don't share any of these details with anyone.
How to know if the message is fake or real?
If you are being asked to click on any link or download something through any link in the message you receive, then be alert and understand that all this is a trick of fraudsters to trap you.
Cyber Crime Helpline Number
If any of you gets scammed, then without any delay, you should immediately call the national helpline number of cyber crime 1930, or you can also lodge a complaint online by visiting cybercrime.gov.in.