With 2024 just about to end, the scammers are leaving no opportunity to target victims with different frauds enticing them to click malicious links and Android Package Kit (APK) files. showcases some of the recently emerged cyber-crimes which are being used to dupe unsuspecting victims.

Malicious link and APK files wishing Happy New Year.

Modus-operandi: Using the occasion of New Year 2025, cyber-criminals would try to hack mobiles of the targets by sending malicious links and APK files on their mobile phone. The scammers would then share those harmful links and APK files on a large scale through social networking sites including WhatsApp from the hacked mobile number.

Dos and Don’ts: If anyone receives any harmful links and APK files of Happy New Year wishes from any social networking site including WhatsApp, delete it immediately. Do not share such malicious links and APK files with anyone for any reason. If harmful links and APK files are posted to any WhatsApp groups from your known WhatsApp number, the admins of the said group should check and delete such links and APK files. Call 1930 immediately or file a complaint on this website www.cybercrime.gov.in in case of any cyber crime offence.

Fake wedding invitation file scam.

Modus-operandi: Scammers send fake wedding invitations through WhatsApp, Instagram or other such apps with links to download a fake APK file. Installing it can add malware or steal personal information, data and could also lead to privacy or financial losses.

Dos and Don’ts: Always confirm the invitation directly with the sender. Do not click on suspicious links or download untrusted apps. Look for suspicious domains or spelling errors in links. Keep security software updated on all devices.

USB Charger Scam (Juice Jacking)

Modus-operandi: Cyber-criminals use USB charging ports installed at public places such as airports, cafés, hotels and bus stand etc. for malicious activities. Charging electronic devices at such infected USB charging stations, may make one a victim of juice-jacking cyber attack. Juice jacking may lead to installation of malicious apps, encryption of one’s device and criminals may ask for ransom to restore it. Stealing of data from your device.

Dos and Don’ts: Think twice before plugging to public charging stations or portable wall chargers. Use electrical wall outlet to charge your mobile device. Try to carry your own personal cable or power bank. Lock your mobile device and disable pairing with a connected device. Try to charge your phone when it is in a switched off state.

Exploitation of cyber-crime helpline (1930) by cyber-criminals

Modus-operandi: Fraudsters pretended to be police officers using a Skype ID called ‘POLICE 1930’ to trick victims into thinking they were real law enforcement. They falsely claimed that the victim’s Aadhar ID was used for shipping illegal items like drugs and credit cards. The criminals then threaten the victim with imprisonment and freezing his/her bank accounts unless the victim transfers a large amount of money to them. This sophisticated scam misuse an official cyber-crime helpline to exploit the victim’s trust in government systems.

Dos and Don’ts: If contacted by someone claiming to be law enforcement, terminate the call and verify their identity through official channels. Legitimate authorities will not request immediate payment over the phone. One should not disclose sensitive data or financial details to unknown callers and if anyone receives a threatening call or message, it should be reported to local authorities or cyber-crime units. In case someone receives fake arrest emails, one should not trust or respond to fake arrest notices sent via email, WhatsApp, SMS or Phone calls claiming to be from the police. Be skeptical of emails that seem urgent, threatening, or out of the ordinary. Verify the authenticity of any suspicious emails and check the email address to ensure it’s from a genuine government website ending in “gov.in“.

Mumbai PRS will be shut down from 23.45 hrs of 31.12.2024 to 01.15 hrs of 01.01.2025 for renumbering of Train Numbers in Passenger Reservation System.

Due to the shutdown, PRS, Coaching refund, charting activities, train firing, and other services like IVRS, Current Reservation, Chart Display, Touch Screen, Refund counters and Coaching refund terminal etc. will not be available. However, TDR will be issued for refund as per extant refund rules.

Internet booking for Mumbai PRS trains will not be available during the above mentioned period.

Passengers/Rail users are requested to bear with the Railway Administration for this important maintenance work.

Mumbai, Dec 30: The Maha Vikas Aghadi on Monday slammed a Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minister, Nitesh N. Rane, for alleging that Kerala is a ‘mini-Pakistan’ and claiming that Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra get elected from there as terrorists vote for them.

MVA leaders like the Congress’ Pawan Khera, Atul Londhe, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Anand Dubey and Kishore Tiwari, besides Nationalist Congress Party (SP)’s Clyde Crasto, and more have termed Rane’s utterances as ‘unconstitutional’ and arising out of an ‘illiterate mind’.

Rane, the son of former Chief Minister and ex-union minister Narayan Rane, drew the comparisons at an event last night in Pune to commemorate Shiv Pratap Din – marking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s killing of the Bijapur Sultanate’s General Afzal Khan (1659) at Pratapgad Fort in Satara.

While praising Hindu activists from Kerala, he said that they had saved the lives of 12,000 Hindu girls, a huge feat considering how difficult it was to rescue even one sister.

“Kerala is nothing but a ‘mini-Pakistan’. That is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister (Priyanka Vadra) get elected from there. All the terrorists are ones who vote for them. I am speaking the facts… These persons (the Gandhi siblings) become MPs with support from the terrorists,” claimed Rane.

The references to the Gandhis was pertaining to Rahul Gandhi winning the Lok Sabha polls in Wayanad (Kerala), while losing Amethi (2019). However, in 2024, he won both Amethi and Wayanad, and later Priyanka Vadra won the Wayanad seat in 2024 Lok Sabha bypolls.

“What else can be expected from him. But we have to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis how can somebody calling one of our own states ‘mini-Pakistan’ continue to be a Cabinet Minister? We take the pledge of unity…I expected both (PM & CM), who give patriotic speeches, to ensure that such persons are not allowed to remain in the ministry,” said Londhe sharply.

Crasto dubbed Nitesh Rane as a “motormouth who needs to be controlled by the BJP” and who has insulted and demeaned an important state of India, which was a highly deplorable act.

“Does the BJP endorse his opinions? What comes to the fore is that a mentally illiterate Nitesh Rane is shamelessly berating the most literate state of India. The BJP must answer to all,” demanded Crasto.

Tiwari said that with such irresponsible and shameless words, “Nitesh Rane is making blatant attempts to incite communities against each other in Kerala which has always rejected the BJP”, and should be sacked for violating the oath of office.

Khera bluntly said, “Ask BJP President J.P. Nadda whether his party will contest the next elections from Kerala or not. These unconstitutional statements by the BJP leaders made repeatedly are against the Constitution.”

“If what Rane claims is true, then why has the Kerala Governor, appointed by the President, not submitted a report to the Centre of how that state has become a ‘mini-Pakistan’.

“What are the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Fadnavis – whose ‘laadla’ (favourite) Nitesh Raje is, doing in the matter,” asked an irked Dubey.

The NCP (SP) has called upon the state BJP to take cognisance of statements by Rane, known for stirring controversies in the past, and do the needful.

The first-time Minister also assured the Hindutva workers that “you are not alone and we are with you as the government.”

“The state has a saffron-clad CM, Hindutva activists should not fear anything. If anyone acts illegally against Hindus or Hinduism, we will not spare them,” warned Rane, adding that though he has ministerial responsibilities and constraints, the “work of Hindutva must continue in full steam.”

Present on the occasion at the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi in Saswad (Pune) organised through the Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite Gaushala, Gaurakshak Dal, were Vishwa Hindu Parishad Organising leader Dadaji Vedak, plus Prathish Vishwanath, Sanjay ‘Kaka’ Sharma who were given awards for various services.