Experts warn of online fraud in name of Covid booster dose

Team Udayavani, May 7, 2022, 10:03 AM IST

Mangaluru: Thousands of people around the world have been targeted by fraudsters using Covid-19 scams. Cybercriminals set up fake Covid-19 tracker dashboards to hack computers and put up malicious websites and apps. Many also pose as WHO officials, offer free mobile data, and send out ransom emails threatening to infect users with Covid-19.

Now, the fraudsters are attempting to cheat people by offering booster doses for Covid-19 through messages and calls.

It is said that cybercriminals posing as health experts call people and claim that one must compulsorily take precautionary booster doses.

They ask for their address, phone number, and other personal information including bank details. The fraudsters then ask for the OTP sent to their phone and once given they withdraw money from their bank account.

The criminals target the elderly as they are less familiar with online frauds and are likely to fall prey to these scams.

Experts have warned that such calls or messages must be ignored and reported to the nearby police station.

Also, the government does not offer the option of booking immunization appointments over the phone. The only option to reserve a vaccine time is to visit the Cowin portal or download the Arogya Setu app