Ministry of Home Affairs issues warning: Did the call disconnect as soon as you said 'Hello'? Don't ignore it—it could be a scam..

Has it ever happened to you that you received a call from an unknown number, answered it, said "Hello," and the call suddenly disconnected? We often ignore this, assuming it is a network issue or a wrong number. But be warned! In reality, this is a new type of cyber fraud known as the "Silent Call Scam." Let’s understand what this scam is, why scammers do it, and how you can protect yourself.

What is the 'Silent Call Scam'?
The Silent Call Scam is not an ordinary call; rather, it involves an automated system (a computerized machine) used by hackers. Scammers call thousands of numbers simultaneously. Their goal is not to speak with you, but to verify whether your number is active. As soon as you answer and say "Hello," the machine detects your voice, confirming that a real person is on the line. It immediately disconnects the call, and your number is saved to their list of "active numbers."

Warning from the Ministry of Home Affairs
"Cyber ​​Dost," a cyber-security agency operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs (I4C), has issued an alert regarding this scam. According to the agency, once scammers confirm your number is active, the real trouble begins:

Your number could be flooded with scam calls.
Fraudsters might try to intimidate you by threatening "Digital Arrest."
You could be targeted for bank account information theft or lottery-related fraud.

How to avoid the Silent Call Scam?
To protect yourself from cyber fraudsters, keep these simple yet important points in mind:
Do not call back: If the call disconnects immediately after you answer, do not make the mistake of calling that unknown number back.
Block the number: If you receive such calls repeatedly from the same unknown number, block it immediately. Watch out for spam alerts: Telecom companies like Airtel, Jio, and Vi now display 'Spam' or 'Suspected Spam' alerts on the screen for incoming calls. 

Avoid answering such calls.
Do not share personal information: Do not click on links received via unknown calls, messages, or WhatsApp. Never share your personal or banking details.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.