In a significant move to combat online gambling scams, the Kerala Police have issued formal notices to tech giants Google and Meta, demanding the removal of advertisements and apps linked to gambling. This action follows recent revelations regarding Meta’s policy that permits alcohol and gambling advertisements on its platforms, as reported by Storyboard18 on Tuesday.
The Kerala State Police Media Centre (SPMC) disclosed that the crackdown was prompted by a surge in fraudulent activities involving gambling and lottery apps. In particular, the police have identified and targeted 60 fake lottery and gambling apps on Google’s Play Store. A parallel notice has been sent to Meta, urging the removal of similar advertisements from its platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
According to the SPMC, scams operating under the guise of legitimate lotteries—such as the “Kerala Megamillion Lottery” and “Kerala Summer Season Dhamaka”—have been widely promoted on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. These fraudulent schemes falsely claim to offer tickets for state-run lotteries online.
“Through cyber patrolling, we uncovered 60 apps, 25 fake Facebook profiles, and 20 websites linked to this scam,” an SPMC officer reported.
Industry insiders have expressed concern over the potential escalation of such scams if gambling is legitimized in India. A senior figure from the Real Money Gaming industry warned, “These fraudulent advertisements are already prevalent on Meta and Google platforms. If betting and gambling are legalized, these scams could multiply, putting millions of Indians at risk.”
The scam typically begins with victims receiving messages on WhatsApp, claiming that the Kerala government has introduced an online lottery. For a small fee of Rs 40, participants are promised a chance to win up to Rs 12 crore. However, once the fee is paid, victims receive a fake lottery ticket image, followed by fabricated winning results. Scammers then contact the victims, posing as government officials, and request additional payments under the pretense of ‘GST’ and ‘stamp duty’ to claim the supposed prize.
In response, Kerala police have urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to these online lottery and gambling schemes. They have also advised anyone suspecting financial fraud to immediately report it by calling the helpline number 1930.
This decisive action by Kerala authorities highlights the growing concern over the spread of online scams and the role of digital platforms in facilitating them.
Related topics:
What Is the Most Advanced Form of Deep Learning Image Synthesis?