Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Division Alerts Public About Fake IRCTC App: The Tamil Nadu cyber crime division has warned individuals to avoid the counterfeit IRCTC rail connect app. In a press release issued on Friday, the TN police stated that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) recently issued a public warning about a pernicious mobile app campaign designed to deceive users and engage them in fraudulent activities. “Fraudsters have devised a clever strategy in which they distribute phishing links via messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. These links cause unsuspecting victims to obtain a fake version of the mobile application ‘IRCTC Rail Connect’.
Scammers deceive users by convincing them that this fraudulent app is the only authorised method to book train tickets through IRCTC. This counterfeit app closely resembles the original, making it difficult for users to differentiate between the two. After downloading and installing the malicious application, the victim may believe they are utilising a legitimate IRCTC service.
Delhi Man Nabbed for Hacking IRCTC Website, Selling Rs 30 Lakhs Worth of Illegal Tatkal Tickets
Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Division Alerts Public About Fake IRCTC App
The fake app replicates the user interface and registration process of the authentic IRCTC app, leading users to believe they are securely logging into their accounts. However, behind the scenes, the malicious app collects sensitive data. In order to proceed with ticket reservations or other actions, users may be prompted to enter their online banking credentials, such as usernames, passwords, and PINs.
As users input their credentials, the malicious application captures and transmits them to remote servers under the control of the scammers. This is where the actual compromise of confidential and financial data occurs, according to the press release.
In addition to requesting access to the user’s online banking credentials, the malicious app may also request access to other sensitive data stored on the user’s device. For instance, the app could request access to UPI information and credit/debit card information stored in digital wallets or linked to payment apps. Police warned that con artists with access to the collected information could potentially engage in a variety of fraudulent activities.
This may include unauthorised transactions using the victim’s UPI or card information, identity fraud, and even phishing attempts aimed at the victim’s contacts. Sanjay Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, advised IRCTC users to exercise caution and adhere to a number of essential precautionary measures to avoid falling victim to such scams. The public is advised to only obtain the official ‘IRCTC Rail Connect’ mobile app from official sources, such as the Google Play Store for Android users and the Apple App Store for iOS users.
Users are discouraged from clicking on links claiming to offer exceptional discounts or deals, particularly when disseminated through unofficial channels. People are encouraged to contact IRCTC’s customer service only through the official phone numbers listed on their official website – https://irctc.co.in – if they have any questions. To prevent unauthorised app downloads, the public is also urged to disable the option for unverified app installations in their device’s settings and not to share their OTP, PIN, password, or banking information. “Report any suspected fraudulent activity to the Cyber Crime Helpline No. 1930 or file a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in.” In addition, individuals are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] or call IRCTC Customer Care using the official phone numbers provided on the IRCTC official website (www.irctc.co.in) and provide them with all pertinent information and evidence, according to the press release.
