Scam: Employees should not fall prey to fraud in the name of 8th Pay Commission, salary calculator..

A new cyber fraud targeting government employees is spreading rapidly across the country. Fraudsters are attempting to trick people into downloading a fake app posing as the "8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator." The Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued an alert regarding this matter.

The advisory states that messages are being circulated on WhatsApp and social media claiming to provide information about their new salary based on the 8th Pay Commission. They are asked to download an APK file. The APK file is actually an Android app file, but fraudsters conceal malware within it. Once a person downloads and installs it, they gain remote access to their phone. They can read messages, capture OTPs, and even attempt to withdraw money from their bank accounts.

Where to Check Updates Safely
Check authentic information related to the 8th Pay Commission only on official websites like 8cpc.gov.in or government domains like verified.gov.in. Don't trust any links or apps found on WhatsApp or social media. Legal expert B. Shravanth Shankar says that government departments never send APK files or salary calculators on platforms like WhatsApp. Therefore, only obtain information from official sources.

What should be done to protect yourself from this type of cyber fraud?

Never download APK files received through WhatsApp or social media.

Keep the "Install from Unknown Source" option disabled on your phone.

Never share OTPs or personal details with anyone.

Report immediately if you see a suspicious link.

Another New Fastag Scam
Recently, a major Fastag-related fraud has surfaced. In this scam, fraudsters post fake customer care numbers on Google and trick people into downloading screen-sharing apps under the guise of recharge, activation, or refund. They then gain access to the phone and attempt to withdraw money. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has asked people to avail Fastag-related services only from the official platform and not to click on suspicious links or advertisements.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. 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.