The cybercrime wing of the state police has issued a fresh advisory warning citizens about a new courier-related scam that enables fraudsters to take over bank accounts and social media profiles.
According to officials, scammers pose as courier agents to confirm or reschedule parcel deliveries. They trick victims into dialling a USSD code sent via SMS—often beginning with 21 followed by a phone number. Dialling the code silently activates call forwarding, redirecting bank OTPs, verification calls, and app authentication messages to the fraudster, enabling unauthorized transactions and account takeovers.
Additional Director General of Police (Cybercrime) Sandeep Mittal said the fraud exploits public unawareness of USSD-based call forwarding features. Police have urged people not to dial USSD codes starting with 21, 61, 67, or similar sequences shared by unknown callers, and to avoid clicking suspicious delivery links received via SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
Citizens are advised to verify delivery details only through official courier company websites or authorized customer care numbers. If call forwarding has been unknowingly activated, users should immediately dial ##002# to cancel all forwarding services.
Anyone suspecting fraud or noticing unusual activity should contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or file a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.inwithou
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