The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCI) has issued an important advisory for citizens in view of the increasing incidents of online fraud on the occasion of the New Year. The agency has warned that the messages of “congratulatory links” and “fake gifts” circulating on social media and messaging apps can pose a serious threat to users.
According to the advisory, clicking on such suspicious links poses a risk of hacking of users’ personal data, banking information and social media accounts. Officials say that cyber fraudsters lure users into traps through emotional messages and attractive offers.
The NCCIA has instructed citizens not to click on any unverified or unknown links, not to share the verification code of WhatsApp or other apps with anyone and to secure the privacy settings of their mobile phones and social media accounts as much as possible.
According to officials, most users click on such links in haste or ignorance, after which hackers gain complete control over their mobile phones or accounts. This results in financial loss as well as the risk of misuse of personal information.
The NCCIA has appealed to citizens to report any suspicious message or activity immediately so that timely action can be taken.
According to cybersecurity experts, cyber fraud incidents increase significantly during festivals and special occasions. Experts say that users should not trust any online offer without verification and must keep two-factor authentication enabled to keep accounts secure.
