The Thrissur City Police Cyber Crime Unit, in collaboration with the Social Media Division, has exposed an online scam being conducted under the guise of the Indian Postal Department. Fraudsters are employing a phishing technique, spreading fake links via WhatsApp and other social media platforms, and misleading the public into believing these are official communications from India Post.

According to the investigation, the scam begins with messages claiming that government subsidies are being distributed through the Indian Postal Department. These messages include links that, when clicked, lead to a fake website designed to resemble the official India Post website. This site prominently displays logos and images of India Post to create a sense of authenticity.

Visitors to the fraudulent website are greeted with a message stating that they are eligible to receive ₹6,000 as a government subsidy. To claim the subsidy, users are asked to answer a series of simple questions, further luring them into a false sense of security. Upon completing the questionnaire, they are shown messages claiming they have won a large sum of money or valuable prizes such as a car.

To proceed, victims are instructed to share the link with a certain number of WhatsApp groups or contacts. This strategy ensures that the scam spreads rapidly. Users are then asked to provide sensitive personal details, including bank account information, Aadhaar card numbers, photographs, and phone numbers.

Once this information is shared, the fraudsters exploit it in various ways. They demand small payments under the guise of processing charges or registration fees, persuading victims to send money multiple times in hopes of receiving a larger prize. In some cases, the scammers send malicious links to the victim’s devices. Clicking these links allows the fraudsters to gain control of the device, enabling unauthorized access to bank accounts and the theft of funds.

Authorities have confirmed that the Indian Postal Department does not conduct any such schemes or prize distributions. They urge the public to ignore suspicious links and refrain from sharing personal details online. Users are advised to verify the official website of India Post and remain cautious of deceptive URLs that mimic legitimate sites.

The scam serves as a reminder to remain vigilant against phishing attacks, a social engineering technique used by criminals to deceive individuals into revealing confidential information or downloading malicious software.