The Jalandhar Police Commissionerate has begun cracking down on cyber fraudsters who dupe people by luring them with fake lottery wins and has urged the public to remain vigilant. Police Commissioner Satinder Singh stated that cyber criminals contact people via phone calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages, claiming they have won a lottery worth lakhs of rupees. Subsequently, under the pretext of releasing the prize money, the fraudsters attempt to obtain bank details, OTPs, PINs, or other personal information, or try to get victims to deposit “processing fees.” He emphasized that instead of trusting such messages and calls, people should exercise extreme caution.
According to the police, cyber fraudsters ensnare people by tempting them with lucrative rewards. Messages often claim a massive win—such as a lottery prize of ₹25 lakh—and demand bank transfers, processing fees, or other charges to claim the reward. The police have clearly advised the public not to share OTPs, PINs, banking details, or other confidential information with strangers in connection with lottery or prize claims.
The Police Commissioner advised that cyber fraudsters often create an atmosphere of fear to trick people into making mistakes; therefore, one should not make hasty decisions in such situations. He stated that awareness is the best defense against cybercrime. He urged people to verify any suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages regarding lotteries or prizes before responding to them. He noted that not every enticing message about a lottery is genuine, and accepting a prize claim from a stranger without verification could lead to significant financial loss. Jalandhar Police appealed to citizens to stay informed and to educate the elderly in their families and others about these methods of cyber fraud.
