Fake IT emails target Kerala chitty firms; association seeks police crackdown on cyber fraud

The All Kerala Chitty Foremen’s Association has sounded the alarm over a series of cyber fraud attempts targeting chitty firms and other financial institutions through fake emails impersonating Income Tax department officials.

The association said fraudsters have been sending emails demanding that institutions submit key financial records and other confidential documents within three days, warning of legal action and penalties for non-compliance. The emails, purportedly issued by Income Tax officials, were later found to be part of a phishing campaign aimed at stealing sensitive financial information.

The fraud came to light after several chitty firms that received the emails verified their authenticity with the Income Tax department, which confirmed that the communications were fake, according to David Kannanaikkal, chairperson of the association.

Warning institutions against sharing confidential data, the association said falling for such phishing attempts could expose organisations to serious financial and cyber security risks.