Beware of mobile apps providing quick loans: Rajasthan Police issues advisory

Rajasthan Police has cautioned people against mobile applications offering ''instant loans'' without documents, warning that cyber fraudsters are targeting users through such platforms, officials said on Wednesday. The advisory was issued by the cybercrime wing of Rajasthan Police on the directions of Additional Director General (Cyber Crime) V K Singh. According to the police, cyber criminals are luring people with promises of quick loans without KYC verification or documentation and are stealing their personal and financial data, leading to economic and mental harassment. ''They trap users through social media advertisements, SMS, WhatsApp messages and mobile apps with attractive offers like low interest rates, no documentation and instant disbursal within minutes,'' the advisory said. The police said once such apps are downloaded, they seek access to sensitive permissions such as contact lists, messages, gallery, microphone and location. ''After granting access, the data from the user's phone can be transferred to servers controlled by criminals. Even if the app is deleted, the data remains with them,'' they said. The advisory noted that such apps usually do not check CIBIL scores or follow standard banking procedures, but instead assess the amount of personal data available on the device to exert pressure later. ''In many cases, the app operators initially provide small amounts ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, but within a few days inflate the amount with heavy interest and demand Rs 8,000 or more,'' the police said. The officials also warned that in case of non-payment, the fraudsters may morph personal photos into objectionable images and threaten to circulate them among family members, friends and colleagues. The police have urged people to remain cautious and avoid falling for such ''lucrative offers'', advising them not to download or share sensitive information on unverified applications.

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