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Fraud

Call Forwarding Scams: A Growing Concern for Mobile Users

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Call forwarding scams have become a significant issue in the country, with various cases being reported across Maharashtra and nationwide. These scams involve cyber criminals manipulating mobile users into dialling Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes to activate call forwarding, which allows fraudsters to intercept messages and calls, leading to financial and privacy breaches. The advisory issued by the Cyber Crime Police Station of Pimpri Chinchwad Commissionerate highlights the consequences of call forwarding scams and provides necessary precautions to avoid such frauds.

Key Takeaways:

  • Call forwarding scams are a category of cyber frauds where online criminals forward or divert a citizen's mobile phone calls or SMSs to their own mobile numbers.
  • Cyber criminals often contact citizens pretending to be from a bank or cell provider companies or another trusted institution, claiming that the victim's KYC is incomplete or SIM will be deactivated soon.
  • The use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes, which usually contain symbols like # or * along with a combination of numbers, can activate call forwarding on a citizen's phone.
  • Consequences of call forwarding include One Time Password theft, blocking of citizen's mobile calls, social engineering frauds, and privacy breach.
  • To check if call forwarding is active, dial ##21# on your phone, and if enabled, immediately turn it off by dialling ##002#.
  • It is essential to be cautious while dialling USSD codes, especially at the instruction of an unknown person.
  • Mobile users should avoid sharing their mobile number or SIM-related details with strangers and contact their mobile service provider's customer care if they suspect an issue.
  • For more information about such frauds, visit http://www.cybercrime.gov.in or contact the Cyber Helpline at 1930 or 14564.

Statistics:

  • The number of call forwarding scam cases reportedly increased across the country, with a significant number in Maharashtra.
  • Thousands of mobile users have been victims of call forwarding scams, resulting in financial losses and privacy breaches.
  • More than 70% of mobile users in India are unaware of the dangers of USSD codes and how to protect themselves from call forwarding scams.
  • The Cyber Crime Police Station of Pimpri Chinchwad Commissionerate has received complaints from over 500 mobile users regarding call forwarding scams in the past six months.
  • The advisory issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Dr. Shivaji Pawar aims to educate and alert mobile users about the risks of call forwarding scams.

Sources:

  • The advisory issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Dr. Shivaji Pawar on call forwarding scams.
  • Contify.com
  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. (Copyright 2025)

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