By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The police have issued a public warning after multiple incidents in which fake QR codes were used for data collection and phishing attempts were reported in Kozhikode district. The QR codes, reportedly found on walls, shop counters, parking areas and public transport facilities, lure people with promotional offers, job opportunities, and other publicity campaigns.
Police officers working with the cyber cell said several people had admitted that they had scanned such codes placed on entry gates, restaurant tables, and parking boards. In the preliminary investigation, it was found that many of them were redirected to unknown websites requesting personal information or prompting them to install unfamiliar applications.
A few people also claimed that they received messages seeking one-time passwords, bank credentials, or access permissions shortly after scanning such QR codes. An investigation was launched into the latest series of complaints from residents in areas such as Mavoor Road, Palayam and Kozhikode beach road recently.
One of the complainants claimed that his control over his digital wallet was lost after scanning a QR code that offered free Wi-Fi. In another case, a shop owner on S.M. Street recently found an unknown QR code placed over the genuine one he kept for the customers in front of his shop. A customer who scanned the fake code reportedly lost money through a redirected payment to an unknown account.
“Many of the suspicious and unverified QR codes are placed like street ads without any consent from the authorities. There should be proper legislation to prevent such practices apart from stringent enforcement actions,” said a senior police officer working with the State’s high-tech crime inquiry cell. He said the police had already asked the traders’ community to keep an eye on fake QR codes placed on genuine ones by fraudsters.
“Afraid of fraudsters, we have started displaying only laminated QR codes in front of shops. Not many shop owners are now displaying plain QR codes on the walls as chances are high for fraud in such open places,” said Siraj Mohammed, a trader on S.M. Street.
An Inspector working with the Kerala Police Cyberdome said the trickery using fake QR codes had been in place for years, targeting the personal data of youngsters seeking free Wi-Fi. However, it has recently taken a twist with the increase in various types of cybercrimes. “As fake QR codes are created with multiple purposes, it is wise to avoid them in public places placed in the name of lucrative promotional offers, freebies, zero expense tours, and high-paying jobs,” he said.
