Indian nationals warned of ‘fake embassy calls’

Some recent incidents have come to the notice of the Embassy of India in the Kingdom wherein a fake person/agency is making hoax phone calls to Indian nationals on false grounds regarding passport and consular services, asking for a monetary transfer. In this context, the Indian Embassy has issued a warning to its nationals to be beware of fake callers claiming to be from the embassy following reports of fraudsters impersonating diplomats over the phone.

Local authorities have been notified after the Embassy has received several complaints wherein Indian nationals are asked to pay outstanding fees or penalties to the Embassy. When traced, the phone numbers of the fake callers appeared to be the embassy number.

This scam is called ‘phone spoofing’ wherein hackers cause the telephone network to indicate to the receiver of a call that the originator of the call is a station other than the true originating station.

A number of middle and high-income Indians working in Bahrain received these calls. Following this, the Indian embassy has issued an alert which urged its nationals to contact authorities if they have fallen victim to the scam.