Summary of this article
Fake 8th CPC salary calculators circulating.
Malicious APK files steal sensitive data.
Verify only through official portals.
The talks of the 8th Pay Commission have long grabbed the attention of many in recent months as central government employees and pensioners await the next salary and pension revision. One of the biggest developments in the 8th Central Pay Commission is the emerging consensus that the minimum fitment factor will be 1.60. While the updates and actual figures will be revealed by the committee upon the time of inception and execution, the waiting period has acted as an opportunity for fraudsters to explore and exploit the gullible masses.
These scams and frauds are fueled by the expectations of higher salaries and pensions of government employees. With central government workers and pensioners awaiting the revised pay structure for future cycles, these scams are becoming more common.
What is the Scam?
In recent weeks, many government employees and pensioners have received messages that claim to let them calculate their new salary or pension under the 8th Central Pay Commission. These messages are most commonly delivered through WhatsApp. These messages often include a link to download an APK file, which promises a salary calculator. However, this is not a literal tool. This is malicious software specially designed to infect the device and give the fraudsters access to all the sensitive details in the device.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has flagged this as a scam. They point out that no government body, authority or officials will be sending files with an APK nature via messaging platforms like WhatsApp, or any other for that matter. Clicking on these links or installing these apps can compromise the device, in turn compromising all the sensitive data and the privacy of the individual. Similar warnings from the police cybercrime units have highlighted how such fake links are operated by people with malicious intent.
How The Scam Works?
The scam rolls out in this typical sequence:
An individual receives a WhatsApp or text message which promises a tool to calculate the revised 8th Pay Commission Salary or Pension details.
The message contains a link to download an APK file.
Once the individual installs the app from the APK file, the scammers gain access to their phones or the device on which they downloaded it.
Fraudsters or hackers then have access to read messages, capture one-time passwords, and potentially withdraw money from bank accounts.
How To Stay Safe?
Protection from such scams is one's own duty, hence these tips become necessary to know.
Do not trust APK files: Legitimate government notifications do not include any such downloads.
Verify information: As far as the 8th CPC is concerned, no information can be trusted that isn't sourced from any government portal.
Check links: Fake links often contain domain names, poor grammar, or have typos in the main domain.
The 8th CPC is an important development for the government employees and pensioners alike. It has also attracted fraudsters who are looking for their next opportunity to exploit the trust and curiosity of the masses.
