Passport News: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is warning people about fraudulent websites that impersonate legitimate passport processing portals, raising red flags. By imitating genuine websites, these fraudulent sites fool people into disclosing critical personal information.
The Alert
The passport division of MEA has issued a warning, drawing attention to the threat posed by mobile apps and websites selling fake passports. These malicious websites trick vulnerable users by requesting personal information from them under false pretences.
The Modus Operandi
In addition to misleading consumers, the phoney passport websites charge outrageous prices for simple tasks like completing online application forms and making appointments for passport-related matters. The alert functions as a timely warning to avert potential scams and is clearly displayed as a pop-up on the official passport services website.
Identifying Fake Websites
The MEA’s advise lists the common characteristics of these phoney websites, including the use of domain names like *.org, *.in, and *.com. It emphasises the need for caution and provides a list of phoney websites to be wary of, such as www.online-passportindia.com, www.passportindiaportal.in, and www.indiapassport.org.
Staying Safe
The advise highlights www.passportindia.gov.in as the only official website for passport services to help protect against being a victim of these frauds. In addition, residents have access to the official mPassport Seva app, which is available on the iOS and Android operating systems.
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