Mumbai: The Telecom Regulators’ Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated that cellphone numbers of telemarketers should begin with 140 so that folks can establish them. However, be careful if you are receiving any call from numbers beginning with 140. If you receive such calls you may fall prey to cybercrime and lose money from your account. This has informed by Mumbai Police.
Social media is flooded with videos of Mumbai Police personnel asking people not receive any call from numbers beginning with 140.
“Should you obtain the decision, your checking account will turn into empty,” a policeman could be heard saying in Marathi in a single such video.
@MumbaiPolice got this video on whatsapp informing not to pick up call from phone number starting with 140. This seems to be during covid pandemic as police is wearing a mask. Can you please confirm the authenticity of this news? pic.twitter.com/ystIiIWPdQ
— Rushabh D Vipani (@rvipani) July 10, 2020
@MahaCyber1 I need a clarification on this video. As per my knowledge, the numbers starting from 140 are registered as telemarketers. And how is it possible if I pick up the call and my account balance gets nil? Thanks in advance. pic.twitter.com/8Px8hZeprc
— Chinmay Purav (@PuravChinmay) July 10, 2020
Netizens additionally identified that in addition they received messages on WhatsApp concerning cellular numbers beginning with 140.
Some Twitter users also said that they received calls from a cellular quantity beginning with 140 and it turned out to be a promotional technique of Undekhi, a brand new thriller internet sequence on Sony LIV app. Many people also slammed Sony LIV for such calls.
“Got a very disturbing call from this number +91 140 880 0135 @MumbaiPolice…The gentleman said he has witnessed a murder. Has recorded it on his phone & now those people want to kill him. He hung up after that. He was crying & quavering while speaking. Please look into this,” said one Smriti Kiran.
Shame on you @SonyLIV I just got to know that this call is a promotional gimmick for your new show. I was on the floor breathless with panic when I got it. Are you out of your mind doing this??? @MumbaiPolice you must take action. This is appalling and unethical, she added,
Shame on you @SonyLIV I just got to know that this call is a promotional gimmick for your new show. I was on the floor breathless with panic when I got it. Are you out of your mind doing this??? @MumbaiPolice you must take action. This is appalling and unethical. https://t.co/4Vp1YAzYjW
— smriti kiran (@smritikiran) July 10, 2020
“Dear @SonyLIV #Undekhi What creepy shit promotion stint is this…. Horrible! @MIB_India @TRAI How are Such promotional calls even allowed? I almost skipped a heart beat, imagine elders or someone with weak heart conditions recieving it! Calling#+91 140 897 0061 #cheapsho,” said another Twitter user.
Dear @SonyLIV #Undekhi
What creepy shit promotion stint is this…. Horrible! @MIB_India @TRAI
How are Such promotional calls even allowed?
I almost skipped a heart beat, imagine elders or someone with weak heart conditions recieving it! Calling#+91 140 897 0061 #cheapshot pic.twitter.com/EOZDS35xsf— R K (@RRosleen) July 10, 2020
After it was trolled for making such calls, Sony LIV apologised for those distressing calls:
If you have received a call for our show Undekhi & it has disturbed you we would like to sincerely apologise to you. This was a test activity which has gone out accidentally & our intention was not to cause any kind of discomfort or panic. We sincerely regret any inconvenience.
— SonyLIV (@SonyLIV) July 10, 2020
If it is so easy to loot people’s money through no beginning with 140 all our politicians, bureaucrats, rowdy elements, frauds etc, would have lost all that they have amassed because they would have been the primary targets.