As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, Bengaluru police have issued a stern warning about cybercriminals leveraging the situation to distribute fake news and phishing links designed to steal personal and financial data.

Commissioner B Dayananda, in a video advisory, cautioned that cyber fraudsters are exploiting public curiosity by spreading sensationalist content related to military operations. These often come in the form of malicious messages or suspicious files claiming to reveal exclusive updates.

Fake file names like “Army job application”, “Dance of the Hillary”, and “Executive file tasksche.exe” are among the known tools being used to lure users. Clicking these links can lead to malware downloads or fraudulent websites that compromise smartphones and computers.

The police highlighted that these threats are often disguised in WhatsApp forwards or emails, even from known contacts, making them particularly deceptive. Once clicked, they may auto-install malicious software or extract personal data such as banking credentials and passwords.

To combat the threat, the police urged users to:

  • Disable auto-download on WhatsApp

  • Avoid opening unknown files or links, even if shared by friends

  • Enable two-step verification on all major platforms

  • Install apps only from official stores

  • Exit suspicious groups and report them immediately

    • Additionally, citizens are advised to maintain updated antivirus software and frequently back up important data. Any message offering “leaked videos” or “breaking war updates” should be treated as a red flag.

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