Core Viewpoint - The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a warning to State Bank of India (SBI) customers regarding a fraudulent message circulating online that prompts users to download an APK file to redeem SBI rewards [1][2]. Group 1: Fraudulent Activity - The fraudulent message claims that SBI net banking reward points worth ₹9,980 will expire and urges customers to install an app to redeem these points [3]. - PIB has reiterated that SBI does not send links or APK files via SMS or WhatsApp, advising users to avoid downloading unknown files or clicking on suspicious links [2][4]. Group 2: Previous Warnings - This is not the first instance of such scams, as both SBI and PIB have previously issued warnings to alert customers about similar fraudulent activities [3][4]. - SBI had released a similar warning just a month prior, emphasizing the need for customers to be cautious about online scams [4]. Group 3: Rising Online Fraud Cases - Online fraud incidents have become increasingly common, with fraudsters continuously finding new methods to exploit customers through messages, links, and phone calls [5]. - According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, bank frauds surged to ₹36,014 crore in 2024-25, marking a 194% increase compared to the previous year [6]. Group 4: Collaborative Efforts to Combat Fraud - In response to the rising cases of fraud, various stakeholders including regulators, banks, payment platforms, tech companies, card firms, and telecom companies are collaborating to develop systems aimed at preventing scams and apprehending perpetrators [7].

What we're seeing is this globalization of online crime, but also the globalization of Chinese crime, geographically diverse, and also diverse in terms of activities. Where exactly is the crime. >> 10 years ago, I think you had to be probably really smart, very technical.But now with a crime as a service, you don't have to be so smart anymore. Literally hundreds of thousands of people work in scam compounds in countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Scam operations nowadays are a little bit like multina ...

Investigations into scamming operations by the West are a big step forward. Yet action against one alleged player can only ever make modest ripples in a business as massive as online fraud https://t.co/otUMF5Gu82Illustration: Lan Truong https://t.co/KWPfSe1DU7 ...

Joint action by America and Britain implies a new determination to curb online fraud. But efforts to quash the scam industry, which is lucrative, adaptable and extremely well-protected still have a very long way to go https://t.co/Rlu8MP3mYW ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles emphasizes the importance of financial education and consumer protection in the context of rising AI technology and its associated risks [2][5][9] - The financial regulatory authorities in China have launched a financial education campaign to enhance public awareness of financial literacy and risk prevention, particularly in light of new fraud techniques enabled by AI [2][5] - AI technologies are being exploited by criminals to create deceptive audio and visual content, leading to increased risks of fraud against consumers [5][11] Group 2 - The main fraudulent techniques identified include "voice simulation" and "face swapping," which are used to impersonate individuals and deceive victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information [5][11] - Criminals often pose as familiar contacts or authority figures through social media and phone calls, making it crucial for consumers to verify identities before engaging in financial transactions [12] - Consumers are advised to protect their personal digital information, such as photos and voice recordings, to mitigate the risk of being targeted by these advanced scams [13]