Indian Embassy in Oman warns of fraudsters spoofing Embassy phone lines
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The Indian Embassy in Muscat has issued an urgent advisory alerting Indian nationals in Oman about fraudulent calls from spoofed telephone numbers aimed at extorting money. According to the advisory, scammers have been impersonating embassy officials, seeking money to resolve passport or immigration issues.
The embassy emphasized the seriousness of the situation,“Attention Indian nationals in Oman: Beware of calls from spoofed numbers claiming to be from the Embassy".
The advisory further explained that the scammers have been using the number +180071234 to impersonate officials from the embassy. The fraudsters falsely claim to be resolving urgent passport or immigration matters, tricking victims into sending money.
The embassy stated that “it has been brought to the notice of the Embassy that innocent Indian nationals in Oman are getting calls in the name of Indian Embassy from spoofed numbers. The caller seeks money to sort out passport/immigration matters in the Embassy. It is reported that the calls are received from number +180071234".
The embassy reiterated that the legitimate number, 80071234, is the 24x7 Toll-Free Helpline for the Community Welfare Wing, used exclusively for incoming calls and not for outgoing communication.
“All Indian nationals are hereby informed that 80071234 is the 24x7 Toll-Free Helpline number of Community Welfare Wing of the Embassy. It is not used to make any outgoing calls. Any calls received from spoofed number +180071234 are fake calls from fraudsters. It is advised that recipient of calls from spoofed numbers must cross check directly with the Embassy on helpline numbers to avoid falling into the trap of unscrupulous elements", it said.
The embassy urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with any suspicious calls, advising them to verify the authenticity of such communications directly through official embassy channels.