Raksha Bandhan 2025: Cyber Scams On Rise, Follow These Tips To Protect Yourself
From fake e-commerce sites to cleverly disguised phishing campaigns, fraudsters have found several avenues to steal money, as per cybersecurity vendor CloudSEK.
Phishing messages: Scammers may flood inboxes, WhatsApp, and SMS with messages offering 'Rakhi gift deliveries' or 'exclusive sale coupons.' These often contain malicious links that install malware or steal payment details when clicked.
Fake e-commerce websites: The cybercriminals create fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate platforms, offering attractive Rakhi deals to lure users into sharing their banking details.
Social media fraud: Scammers may also advertise fake Rakhi deals on popular social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. The user might be tricked into sharing financial details or making payments, thinking the platform is legitimate.
UPI and gift card scams: Only grifters may send fake UPI requests or QR codes disguised as Rakhi gift claims. A notable scam falsely offered Rs 5,000 gift cards under the Prime Minister's Mudra Yojana, redirecting victims to phishing sites that initiate unauthorised UPI payments.
Here are the steps to safeguard yourself against cyberthreats this Raksha Bandhan:
Always prefer shopping from trusted platforms with verified sellers. Make sure it is a platform you may have used before.
Only scan QR codes from verified sources, as scanning unknown codes can lead to phishing sites or malware downloads.
Secure online accounts with unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection.
Avoid clicking links from unknown sources, as legitimate companies rarely send unsolicited offers.
Verify website URLs for discrepancies, as fake sites often use slightly altered domains.
Always check the authenticity of messages or emails.
Rakshabandhan is an occasion to celebrate the bond with your siblings, but with cybercriminals on the prowl, staying cautious and adopting secure online practices is the need of the hour. Protect your family and friends to ensure a safe, scam-free festival.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
2 Vizag doctors arrested in connection with surrogacy racket
1 2 Visakhapatnam: Two more doctors from Vizag city have been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the illegal surrogacy and child-selling racket, which were run under the guise of fertility treatment in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Hyderabad police arrested Dr V Ravi, head of anesthesia dept at the govt-run King George Hospital, and Dr Usha Devi from the dept of obstetrics and gynecology at KGH. Both doctors also used to work at the infamous Srushti fertility centre and allegedly supported the illegal practices of Dr Pachipala Namratha, owner of the fertility centre, and defrauded childless couples in the name of IVF and surrogacy procedures. So far, three doctors from Vizag region have been arrested in connection with the case, with police hinting at involvement of some more doctors in the scam. Earlier this week, Dr Vidyulatha, who also used to work at the paediatric dept of KGH, was arrested by Telangana police from Hyderabad's RGI airport for her alleged involvement in the trafficking-cum-illegal surrogacy racket. The number of arrests in connection with the case has now reached 25, including middlemen and doctors. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the two doctors worked at Srushti and colluded with others at the fertility centre to defraud gullible people in the guise of surrogacy treatment. The actual number of people who were victims of the racket may run into hundreds. We are expecting some of them to approach the police," a senior police officer privy to the investigation said. The first case against the fertility centre was registered on July 25, following which Dr Namratha and a few others were arrested. The accused allegedly collected fees running into several lakh from childless couples on the pretext of IVF and surrogacy treatment. Dr Namratha and her team (doctors and agents) would advise the childless couples to opt for surrogacy, assuring them that all legal proceedings and statutory compliance would be managed by the clinic and collected huge sums from the unsuspecting victims. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gunfight erupts in drug raid; 1 injured, 2 dodge
Ludhiana: An alleged criminal was seriously injured and two others managed to escape after an early morning encounter with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in Gorsiyan Khan Muhammad village, located in the Sidhwan Bet area of Ludhiana district on Friday. The ANTF team had reached the village in connection with an NDPS case registered by the AGTF, Mohali police. According to SSP, Ludhiana Rural, Dr Ankur Gupta, the team was pursuing Sunny, a resident of Vehran village in Mehatpur, Jalandhar, who is named in a drug trafficking case. Police had received intelligence that Sunny and his accomplices were hiding at the residence of Kuldeep Singh alias Keepa, a local resident of Gorsiyan Khan Muhammad. When the police team arrived, the suspects allegedly attempted to escape through the back gate. In the process, they allegedly opened fire on the police team with the intent to kill. Police fired back in self-defence. While Sunny and another accomplice managed to escape, one of the suspects—identified as Davinder Singh of Akkuwal village—was injured during the exchange. He was rushed to DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, where he is currently undergoing treatment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Mixed Pink Salt With This - Now She Can't Stop Losing Weight Your Health Undo AIG Jagjit Singh Saroya said that the encounter was linked to a major drug case registered on July 10 at AGTF, SAS Nagar, involving the recovery of 1.8 kilograms of heroin. Six individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case, and raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused. Saroya added that the gang involved has suspected links to major drug smugglers lodged in jail, and possibly connections in Pakistan. He stated that the investigation is being conducted in-depth and could lead to significant revelations. Meanwhile, SSP Ankur Gupta revealed that Sunny has two cases registered against him—one at Phagwara police station in Kapurthala and another at AGTF SAS Nagar Mohali. Kuldeep Singh Keepa has five cases registered across Sidhwan Bet, Ladowal, and Dharmakot (Moga) police stations. Davinder Singh also has three cases registered against him at Sidhwan police station. Police officials said further raids are planned, and efforts are underway to arrest the absconding accused. MSID:: 123190584 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
After 8 yrs in jail, ex-MLA gets bail from SC
1 2 Dhanbad: Sanjiv Singh, the former BJP MLA from Jharia, was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Friday. Sanjiv has been in jail since 2017 on charges of conspiring to kill his cousin and former Dhanbad deputy mayor, Niraj Singh, and four others. Sanjiv won from the Jharia seat in 2014 assembly election. His wife Ragini is the incumbent Jharia MLA and won on a BJP ticket. Sanjiv's counsel Mohammad Jawed said, "A three-judge bench of the Apex Court comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai, Justice Vinod Chandran, and Justice N B Anjaria granted him bail in the case after hearing the matter." "Several other accused in the case, including Rinku Singh and Dablu Mishra, have already been granted bail by the High Court, while Pintu Singh, Sanjay Singh, Dhanji Singh, Chandan Singh, and Kurban Ali were granted bail earlier by the SC. The bench was also apprised of Sanjiv's ill health and the need for medical treatment. Considering these factors, the court allowed his bail plea," Jawed said. Sanjiv was arrested in July 2017 and has remained in custody since then. On March 22 the same year, Niraj, the deputy mayor and Congress leader, was gunned down by four assailants using A K- 47 assault rifles near Steel Gate under Saraidhela police station limits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo His associate Ashok Yadav, driver Chandra Prakash, and bodyguard Munna Tiwari were also killed. Reacting to Sanjiv's bail, his wife Ragini said, "It was my belief that Sanjiv would get bail from the apex court as he was innocent. I had faith in the court and in the blessings of the people of Jharkhand." Former MLA and Sanjiv's mother, Kunti Singh, also welcomed the verdict, saying, "Justice delayed but not denied. I had faith in God. My son was implicated in false charges." With this order, Sanjiv joins the list of other accused who have been granted relief in the high-profile case that has been a focal point of political and legal attention in Dhanbad for years. His release is expected to generate significant political discussion in the region, given his family's strong influence in Jharia's political landscape. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
