8th Pay Commission: For the last four to five months, the discussion regarding the 8th Pay Commission has been gaining momentum. Central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the possibility of a pay scale increase and the implementation of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC). However, in the midst of this increasing anticipation, a serious case of cyber fraud has surfaced.
The alert has been sounded by Cyber Dost, a cyber awareness campaign launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
8th Pay Commission: Salary ‘Calculate’ Scam Emerges
A new form of cyber fraud has been reported, which has been named the “Salary Calculate” scam. Cyber fraudsters are targeting government employees using the hype surrounding the 8th Pay Commission.
The scam is promising employees early or accurate information about their revised salaries. The truth is that it is a trick to steal their sensitive information and drain their bank accounts.
WhatsApp Messages Sent in the Name of 8th Pay Commission
The scammers are contacting government employees via WhatsApp messages. The message claims that users can check their updated salary immediately under the 8th Pay Commission. The message contains a downloadable file, which is mostly an APK file with names such as “Salary Calculator” or other official-sounding names.
8th Pay Commission: How the Salary Calculate Scam Works
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Government employees receive a WhatsApp message related to the 8th Pay Commission
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The message asks them to download an attached APK file to check revised salary details
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Once the APK file is installed, cybercriminals gain access to the mobile device
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The fake app can collect personal data, banking details, and even OTPs
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Using this access, fraudsters can directly withdraw money from bank accounts
Government Never Shares APK Files on WhatsApp
The cyber security departments have already clarified that the government does not distribute APK files via WhatsApp or any other communication service.
It has been warned that accessing applications from unknown or unofficial sources is very dangerous. These files usually contain malware that may cause identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to personal information.
It is recommended that all employees access any updates regarding the 8th Pay Commission only from the official government websites and official communication channels.