Jaipur, January 2: The RAJASTHAN Police has issued a serious warning about a new and dangerous cyber fraud technique known as the USSD-based call forwarding scam, in which criminals impersonate delivery agents to gain control of victims’ mobile numbers and bank access.
According to the Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of Rajasthan Police, cybercriminals are using this method to secretly divert calls and carry out large-scale financial fraud. The advisory has been issued under the guidance of the Director General of Police (Cyber Crime) to alert citizens across the state.
How the USSD Scam Works
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime) Vikas Sharma explained that fraudsters contact victims posing as courier or delivery personnel. Under the pretext of confirming or rescheduling a parcel, they persuade victims to dial a specific code—usually starting with *21, *61 or *67—followed by a mobile number.
Once the code is dialled, the victim’s phone automatically activates call forwarding. As a result, all incoming calls, including bank OTPs, verification calls, and social media authentication codes, get diverted to the fraudster’s number. This enables criminals to carry out unauthorised bank transactions and gain access to personal digital accounts.
Immediate Safety Measure: Dial ##002#
The Cyber Crime Branch has advised citizens to immediately dial ##002# if they suspect call forwarding has been activated on their phone. This command instantly cancels all call forwarding settings. People are also advised never to dial any code suggested by unknown callers and to verify delivery-related messages only through official company websites or customer care numbers.
Report Fraud Without Delay
The police have urged citizens not to ignore warning messages from banks or service providers. In case of any cyber fraud, victims should immediately contact the national cyber helpline 1930 or register a complaint on www.cybercrime.gov.in. Complaints can also be reported through Rajasthan Police WhatsApp helpline numbers 9256001930 and 9257510100.
The Rajasthan Police has reiterated that public awareness and timely reporting are the most effective tools to prevent cybercrime and financial losses.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.