Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Greed leads to sin; sin leads to ruin. Falling into this trap of fraud means losing everything! The police have launched an investigation after uncovering a fraud ring in Purulia. Highlighting several recent incidents, the police have issued a stern warning. Over the past few days, cyber fraudsters have cast a wide net of crime across Purulia and its neighboring areas by circulating numerous malicious links and messages. Stepping into this trap spells immediate danger—one risks losing their entire savings. Consequently, the Purulia District Police are issuing a cautionary alert to warn the general public. Through their official social media accounts, the Purulia District Police have highlighted the issue regarding the fake 'Annapurna Bhandar' website and urged citizens to remain vigilant against cyber fraud. The Purulia District Police stated that fraudsters are currently attempting to defraud the public by using a fake website to collect personal information under the guise of the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme.
Incident 1:
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Incident 2:
Annapurna Bhandar: Online Application Process and Details. (A link is provided here.) Click on the link to find out whether you are eligible to receive benefits under this scheme. Learn about the necessary documents required to avail of these benefits before submitting your application. Click the link to access a detailed, step-by-step guide on the entire process.
Incident 3:
Attention! Your vehicle has violated traffic regulations. Click on this link for further details. Download the application form to pay your traffic fine. Please pay the penalty amount of ₹1,000 for your traffic challan. (A link is provided here.)
Following the change of government in the state, the new administration announced the introduction of the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme. They also stated that applications for the scheme would be accepted online. However, a detailed official notification regarding the scheme has not yet been issued. Amidst this interim period, allegations have surfaced that cyber fraudsters are exploiting the situation by circulating links to fake websites via mobile phones, thereby misleading the public. Clicking on the blue links found in such websites or messages could land you in serious trouble. Consequently, Purulia Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Tiwari advises, “Through these apps, all your personal information—including your Aadhaar card and PAN card details—could fall into the hands of cybercriminals. Therefore, be cautious. Stay alert. Steer clear of all such links, websites, and messages. If you encounter any such issues, please contact the Cyber Crime Police Station or your local police station. We are also actively conducting awareness campaigns regarding this on social media platforms.”
The Purulia District Police have urged the public to thoroughly verify official government websites for any information they may require. Do not provide your personal details—such as your name, Aadhaar number, or banking information—to unknown or unfamiliar websites. Under no circumstances should you share your OTP, PIN, or password with anyone else. Furthermore, the police have issued a message warning against clicking on unknown links received via SMS, WhatsApp, or Facebook messages. Victims of fraud are advised to immediately contact their nearest police station. According to sources within the Purulia District Police, fraudsters are even sending messages to police personnel themselves—citing specific vehicle registration numbers—while falsely claiming to represent the Traffic Police Department. In light of these various incidents, the Purulia District Police have issued a general alert to the public.