T’puram: The State Police have issued a notice to Google calls for the removal of 60 apps that sell fake lottery Tickets online in the name of Kerala State LotteriesThey have also asked Meta to remove their advertising from Facebook.
A cyber police investigation has identified 60 fake lottery apps, 25 fake social media profiles and 20 websites related to the Fraudsaid a police statement.
This move comes after fake advertisements started circulating on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Instagram over the past few days claiming that Kerala state lottery tickets could be purchased online under names such as ‘Kerala Mega Million Lottery’ and ‘Kerala Summer Season Dhamaka’.
Police said it was a well-organised scam and that messages were circulating on social media with false claims that the government had launched an online lottery and that one could win up to Rs 12 million by betting Rs 40.
A fake image of a lottery ticket is sent through WhatsApp to people who send Rs 40 to the number provided in the promotional message. When the draw is due, the scammers send a fabricated result showing a winning of Rs 500,000 for the ticket.
This is the start of the next phase of the scam, the statement said. A person posing as a government representative calls and asks the customer to transfer money for VAT and stamp duty in order to claim the prize money.
Once the money is transferred, the scammers claim that the Reserve Bank has withheld the prize money and demand more to release it. To make each step seem believable, they also provide victims with fake documents and videos.
The police warned the public to remain vigilant in order not to fall victim to such scams. Anyone who falls victim to financial fraud should immediately inform the police on 1930, the statement added. The police said that strict legal action would be taken against those behind these scams.
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