TN Cyber security on high alert amid rising phising attacks

The public has recently been warned by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) to be wary of phoney messages warning that their connection would be cut off and advising them to call specific numbers.

Two people have lost money as a result of phishing scams posing as electricity bills in the previous two months.

On June 7, a person named V. Natarajan (83) of Chennai lost Rs 8.7 lakh after receiving an SMS informing him that his electricity bill was past due and that he needed to pay it to avoid being disconnected. Natarajan reported to the police that he had been contacted and told that a link had been sent to his phone number and that he should send Rs 10 as a trial payment. He lost Rs. 8.7 lakh in a matter of minutes. He complained to the Tamil Nadu Cyber security wing and the EB. Within 20 days, the cyber police were able to track down the money and retrieve it, but they were unable to apprehend the con artists.

Even as the public was being warned not to fall for such fraudulent messages by Tangedco and the Cyber wing of the Tamil Nadu police. However, a Tangedco customer, Krishnaveni (52) of Avinashi Road, Coimbatore, lost 4.2 lakh rupees on Friday as a result of receiving a similar call. She was sent a link, asked to pay Rs 10 for a trial, and within minutes, she had lost Rs 4.2 lakh to the con artist.