Chennai, Oct 26 (Reporter) Following receipt of several complaints, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Tamil Nadu police has issued a public warning about a new scam targeting the pensioners. Scammers are posing as government officials and tricking the victims into sharing personal financial details under the guise of facilitating pension-related services, an official release here said. Several complaints have been received about fraudsters impersonating officials from the pension office. These scammers contact victims, especially senior citizens, through phone calls, offering assistance with pension schemes, including special benefits like handicapped pension schemes, old age pension schemes, widow pension etc. Between January and October 2024, around 28 complaints have been filed in NCRP Portal, highlighting the growing concern over this fraudulent activity. The release explaining the modus operandi of the culprits said scammers call victims pretending to be government pension officers. They offer enticing schemes like a handicapped pension, old age pension schemes, widow pension etc, encouraging victims to engage with them. Victims are then asked to share the sensitive information such as bank details or are sent QR codes to scan, supposedly to receive pension payments. After scanning the QR code or sharing personal details, victims find that money has been debited from their accounts instead of receiving any benefits. Scammers may even request victims to share their mobile screens via WhatsApp, making it easier to steal their financial information. Pensioners are especially vulnerable to such scams, and the consequences can be severe. Not only do they suffer financial losses, but the emotional distress caused by the betrayal is often significant, particularly for those relying on pensions for their livelihood. The public were advised to verify the identity of any callers claiming to be from a government office and not share personal or financial details over the phone. If they receive calls from numbers they don’t recognize, they should not engage unless sure of the caller’s identity. "Be suspicious of any unsolicited offers or schemes related to pensions or benefits. Do not scan any QR codes sent by strangers or unknown entities, especially if they claim to offer pension payments", it said. The release said scammers often create a false sense of urgency and advised the pensioners to take their time to verify the information before proceeding with any transaction. It also said "never share your mobile screen or personal information through any apps.Always use verified government websites for pension-related activities, and avoid sharing personal details on any social media platforms or messaging apps." They were also asked to report suspicious phone numbers to the relevant authorities or police to prevent others from falling victim. "If you suspect that you have been a victim of similar fraudulent activity or have come across any suspicious activity, it is crucial to take immediate action. Report the incident by dialing Cyber Crime Toll free Helpline No 1930 or register a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in ", it said...////...