Indian embassies in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Canada have sent out public notices against calls by alleged fraudsters to Indians living abroad, the Hindustan Times reported.
Many Indians in different countries have received calls by people who recognize themselves as high commission officials.
40-years-old Vinod Kuruvilla received a call from a number he recognized as that of Indian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada. Kuruvilla was told that his immigration papers were not in order. He was asked to transfer $1000. Some bank details were given. Kuruvilla called high commission. He was told that the call was a case of cyber fraud.
These calls are coming from embassies’ landline numbers.
Hindustan Times quoted an Indian official saying, “The high commission in Ottawa has taken up the matter with the Canadian government and we too have put out a public notice.”
Now, missions have put out public notices.
“Beware of fraudulent/hoax calls purportedly from telephone number 0140505070/71 belonging to Indian embassy asking for Indian students/diaspora to the transfer of money”, embassy of India never asks for such transfers”, said the warning issued by the embassy in France.
India's external affairs minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj had tweeted about such calls ealier this year.
