Want 4G to 5G SIM upgrade? Beware of frauds, warn Jharkhand Police

Police have warned against 4G to 5G SIM upgradation phishing scams in the state. They have appealed to the public not to share one-time passwords (OTPs) and other sensitive information with strangers who may contact on the pretext of offering an upgrade.

The advisory has come in the backdrop of similar warnings issued by the police in other parts of the country. “Cyberfrauds are sending links in the name of 5G upgradation. If you open it, there is risk of frauds hacking your phone,” police said.

Online upgrade facility is not provided by any of the telecom service providers, police said. People should not install any app on their mobile phone on advice of any person. They should neither click on an unknown link nor forward it to others.

The police said that people should seek information about SIM upgradation either by calling on the authorised customer care numbers or at the local outlet of the company.

Customers should not share details of their SIM and bank-related information with strangers.

Director general of the Criminal Investigation Department, Anuraag Gupta said, “The warning has been issued on the apprehension that the cyber frauds can use the modus operandi to cheat the people of the state. So far, no complaint of this nature has been received at telephone number 1930, which is set up for people to inform police when they get cheated.”

A police officer added that there is possibility of cybercrime fraudsters trying to cheat mobile phone users of the state while promising them SIM upgradation. Several crimes of this nature were reported when the SIM cards were upgraded from 3G to 4G.

It may be stated here that 5G service has been rolled out in Ranchi and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.