As Navratri approaches on September 22, Gujarat Police have issued an alert against rising frauds involving fake garba passes and malicious APK files.
Every year, scamsters lure revellers with cheap “premium passes,” only for victims to find out they are fake at venue gates.
This year, fraudsters have also started sending APK files disguised as e-passes, which hack phones, steal data, and even drain bank accounts once clicked.DCP (Cyber Cell) Lavina Sinha said police are launching a campaign to curb such frauds, targeting youngsters most often duped by these scams.
To strengthen cyber security, DGP Vikas Sahay announced the creation of a state-level cyber task force, modeled on the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The force will include over 1,000 personnel, 150 cyber experts, and a dedicated office. It will focus on prevention, detection, and investigation of cyber crimes.
Officials warned that beyond financial losses, stolen personal data is sometimes used for extortion, pushing victims into further risks. Police have urged people to buy passes only from official sources and avoid downloading unknown APK files.