Overview
- Police say scammers are circulating Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp ads that misuse the chief minister’s photo to pitch instant or “no CIBIL” loans under supposed government schemes.
- Victims are redirected to fake apps, websites or WhatsApp numbers where they are asked for Aadhaar, PAN, bank details or OTPs and are often pressed for advance or processing fees.
- Authorities clarify that no such loan programme has been announced, endorsed or approved by Mamata Banerjee or the West Bengal government.
- People are urged to avoid suspicious links and unknown loan apps, never share sensitive information, verify offers only with authorised banks or NBFCs, and report cases to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in while preserving evidence.
- Police warn of strict legal action for impersonation, cheating and cyber fraud, as national data show hundreds of thousands of complaints and losses exceeding ₹11,000 crore in early 2024.