Bengaluru: Police Commissioner B Dayananda has issued a public advisory warning citizens about cybercriminals misusing the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions to steal personal information and commit financial fraud.
In a video message, Dayananda explained that fraudsters are taking advantage of public curiosity surrounding the conflict by launching phishing attacks, spreading fake news, and sharing malicious links. “These criminals prey on your interest and lure you into risky situations,” he said.
According to the police, scammers are circulating messages that claim to offer exclusive updates or leaked videos related to the conflict. Clicking these links often redirects users to fake websites or triggers malware downloads that can compromise devices and steal data.
Authorities also flagged suspicious files with names like “Army job application”, “Dance of the Hillary”, and “Executive file tasksche.exe”—all common phishing tactics designed to extract personal details.
To help users stay safe on WhatsApp and social media, the advisory recommends:
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Avoid opening unknown files, even from familiar contacts
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Don’t forward suspicious messages
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Only download apps from official app stores
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Be wary of links claiming to offer conflict updates
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Report and leave any suspicious WhatsApp groups immediately
Dayananda also urged WhatsApp users to boost their security by turning off media auto-download and enabling two-step verification.
Additional precautions include:
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Ignoring emails from unfamiliar senders, especially those with urgent conflict-related subjects
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Not clicking on unsolicited email links or attachments
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Checking sender addresses closely, as phishing attempts often mimic legitimate sources
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Activating two-factor authentication
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Keeping antivirus software up to date
He also emphasized the importance of avoiding fake “exclusive news” content that may carry malware and recommended making regular data backups.
Though no cybercrime cases linked to the conflict have surfaced in Bengaluru yet, Dayananda said the advisory follows directives from the Centre.
