Cyber fraudsters target Assam residents in name of land revenue, document clearance

Cyber fraudsters are allegedly targeting residents of Assam’s Dibrugarh district by posing as revenue circle officials and Lat Mandals and demanding online payments for land-related work and payment of land revenue.

Several such cases have reportedly surfaced in areas under the Moran Revenue Circle and Khowang Police Station, prompting concerns among residents.

In one such case, Bulbuli Gogoi of Dulia Lahowal village received a phone call from a person claiming to represent the Revenue Circle Office. The caller allegedly asked her to make an online payment for clearing land revenue and other documents.

Believing the caller, Gogoi transferred around Rs 4,260 online. She became suspicious when the caller subsequently demanded more money. After consulting the village headman and realising that she had been duped, she lodged an FIR at Khowang Police Station. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Other residents have also reportedly received similar calls.

Dipen Gogoi of Rangchali village was allegedly contacted by a person posing as a Mandal from the SDC office, who demanded Rs 2,000 for updating his land revenue records online. Gogoi, however, had already paid the revenue and retained the receipt, helping him avoid the fraud.

In another instance, Tulsi Gogoi of Dulia Lahowal village was allegedly asked to transfer Rs 1,600 through Google Pay for clearing a land file. He too avoided becoming a victim after becoming suspicious of the caller.

Residents have urged people to remain vigilant against such fraudulent calls and not transfer money or share sensitive information with unknown callers claiming to be government officials.