New Delhi
Following reports via news portals and social media platforms about fraudulent individuals posing as Indian Customs officers and deceiving the public, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) initiated a comprehensive awareness campaign on Sunday to combat these scams.
The campaign incorporates a range of strategies including newspaper advertisements, SMS/Email alerts to the public, social media initiatives, and local awareness programs organized by CBIC field offices in collaboration with local authorities and trade associations. The objective is to educate people about these fraudulent activities and prevent them from falling victim.
CBIC emphasized that genuine Indian Customs officers never initiate contact via phone, SMS, or email to request duty payments into private accounts. They advised the public to be cautious, recommending immediate disconnection of suspicious calls and ignoring fraudulent messages.
Furthermore, CBIC issued guidelines to safeguard personal information like passwords, CVV, Aadhaar number, etc., and cautioned against sending money to unknown entities without proper verification of their authenticity.
In case of encountering such fraudulent activities, CBIC urged individuals to promptly report incidents to www.cybercrime.gov.in or contact the helpline number 1930.
This initiative by CBIC aims to enhance public awareness and prevent financial fraud by sensitizing citizens to the modus operandi of these scams and encouraging vigilance in their dealings with purported Customs officials.
