As the Lok Sabha elections wrap up in India, the NDA, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has secured a historic majority. Recently, a WhatsApp message leveraging PM Modi’s victory is promising free mobile recharges. The message even includes a link to claim this offer.
Cyber fraudsters use various tactics to prey on the unsuspecting. Sometimes they offer fake recharges, other times they intimidate by falsely claiming to send parcels containing illegal substances. Occasionally, they tempt victims with returns, offering a small monetary incentive initially before trapping them. The scam of free mobile recharges has once again come to light.
Upon investigating the WhatsApp message, we first landed on the Press Information Bureau (PIB)’s Twitter account (@PIBFactCheck), where a post earlier this year warned about a similar scam involving a fake recharge offer.
The message that we came across on WhatsApp promises all Indian users a free recharge worth INR 599 for three months in celebration of Narendra Modi ji becoming Prime Minister, courtesy of the BJP Party. Below, there's a blue link prompting to recharge your number.
Source: aajtak
After clicking the link from the message, a website opens. It features a photo of Prime Modi and offers to check the recharge offer with a single click.
Upon clicking, a process begins, which leads to a popup where you're instructed to enter your phone number to proceed with the recharge. Below, we have provided a screenshot of this step.
Source: aajtak
Additionally, there are comments below thanking and claiming 'I got free recharge.' Such messages could also be a trap. However, we did not complete the process and strongly advise you to remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities.
