This Valentine’s Day, avoid the sting of fake Cupid’s arrow | #datingscams | #lovescams | #facebookscams

Hyderabad: This Valentine’s Day, Cupid won’t be alone going around shooting arrows at potential lovers. Cybercrooks too will be prowling around, on virtual wings and targeting those in search of love with fake offers, non-existent gifts, imaginary vouchers and much more.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has already issued a warning via its cyber security Twitter handle, Cyber Dost, asking people to be wary of fraudsters not just on Valentine’s Day, but to be alert of cyber frauds for the entire Valentine’s week. The alert, of which a similar version was issued last year too, aims at creating awareness on the various traps that cybercrooks come up with on social media, targeting those planning to buy gifts or present vouchers as gifts to their loved ones.

With many people searching online to purchase gifts, there is a rise in phishing emails and malicious domains acting to be genuine gift sites and also as websites of known brands. These, according to cyber security agencies, are in addition to Valentine’s Day online scams, like offers with prizes or lucky number winners or links to discounts in star hotels to celebrate the special day. Fake websites offering gift vouchers, high discounts or deals on Valentine’s Day items such as chocolates, jewellery and roses, to mention a few, have become quite regular in recent times, they say.

These apart, Cyber Dost has also warned the public of Remote Access Frauds and Online Fake Medicine Frauds. The rise in the number of Covid cases across the country, with many in home isolation, has triggered an increase in the number of online purchase of medicines, which in turn is being exploited by cybercrooks, it said.

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