Fraud Causing Millions in Losses: Recognize Fake Messages by These Three Keywords
Fraud Causing Millions in Losses: Recognize Fake Messages by These Three Keywords
In India, the United States, and many other countries, people are receiving fraudulent messages on their phones. These messages vary from job offers to warnings about electricity disconnections unless bills are paid immediately. Many people fall victim to such scams, resulting in significant financial losses.
Experts have identified three specific keywords that can help detect whether a message is likely a scam. These keywords are “urgent,” “you,” and “kindly.” Messages containing these terms are often scams or originate from another country.
Technical expert Tim Bajarin explains, “Such keywords are common in countries where English is not the primary language.” He cited examples from countries like Nigeria, India, and Pakistan.
Scam Messages in India
In India, people often receive fake calls and messages threatening to cut off services if payments are not made immediately or warning that bank accounts will be frozen. These messages are usually poorly worded and contain errors, which can be a clue.
Do Not Respond, Report Instead
Authorities advise people not to respond to such messages. Instead, they should report them as spam, block the sender, or delete them. In 2023, American citizens alone lost over $10 billion due to scams involving fake messages, calls, and emails.