State Bureau, Ranchi: Jharkhand News: Cybercriminals are targeting the bank accounts of Jharkhand’s farmers. To steal farmers’ data, these criminals are adopting a new strategy. Citing the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), they are requesting agricultural officers in the state to provide farmers’ data.
It is being claimed that the funds for the Birsa Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Scheme) need to be transferred to farmers’ accounts and that their data is required immediately. This came to light when agricultural department officials contacted the central government officials regarding the matter. Upon being told that no such data should be sent, the department became alert.
The department has issued a letter to all agricultural officers in the state, informing them of the situation. The letter clearly states that under no circumstances should farmers’ data be shared with anyone.
Attempt to Withdraw Money from Farmers’ Accounts Department officials have stated that cybercriminals are seeking farmers’ data with the intent to withdraw insurance funds from their accounts. The data of farmers is well-protected, but cybercriminals are trying to access it through agricultural officers. During registration for the crop insurance scheme, farmers provide their bank account details, Aadhaar numbers, mobile numbers, and other information. If this data falls into the hands of cybercriminals, they can easily withdraw money from the farmers’ bank accounts.
Preparations to File an FIR Department officials mentioned that after receiving reports of fraudulent calls, all officers have been alerted. The state nodal officer for the crop insurance scheme is in the process of seeking permission from the agricultural secretary to file an FIR. Soon, an official complaint will be registered. The department has warned all agricultural officers across the state.
Fraud Attempt Using PMO’s Name – Be Cautious of These Two Numbers Agricultural officers are being asked for farmers’ data under the guise of the PMO’s name. Officials from several districts have received phone calls from the numbers 9038197598 and 7645924236. The callers claim that they need data related to the Birsa Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, citing the Prime Minister’s Office. When it was discovered that these were fraudulent calls, Prakash Kumar, the state nodal officer for the Birsa Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, issued letters to the district commissioners, cooperative officers, and agricultural officers, warning them about the situation.
In his letter, he stated that no unauthorized person or institution should be given access to farmers’ data. The letter also mentioned that the state headquarters contacted the National Technical Support Unit of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana about the issue.
The National Technical Support Unit clarified that they had not made any such data request. The department’s officials believe this is a case of fraudulent calls. The number 9038197598 originates from Koroli, Punjab, while the other number 7645924236 is from Kolkata.
