National Cyber Emergency Response Team Pakistan (PKCERT) has issued a public advisory warning citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages claiming that all Pakistanis are eligible to receive Rs. 13,000 in cash as part of an Independence Day offer. According to PKCERT, these messages are fake and may contain malicious or fraudulent links intended to steal personal or financial information from unsuspecting users. The advisory urges the public to verify the authenticity of such messages before taking any action and reminds users that cybercriminals frequently exploit national events and public interest campaigns to distribute phishing messages and online scams.
PKCERT cautioned that recipients should avoid clicking on suspicious links included in these messages, as they may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to collect sensitive information such as banking details, personal identification data or account credentials. The advisory also stresses that users should never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited messages claiming to offer cash rewards or other benefits. In addition, PKCERT advised the public not to reply to these messages or forward them to family members, friends or contacts, as doing so can contribute to the spread of fraudulent campaigns. Instead, users are encouraged to immediately delete the message, block the sender and report the incident through the appropriate channels. The advisory highlights that remaining cautious and verifying information before interacting with unexpected messages is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of phishing attacks and online fraud.
As part of its awareness campaign, PKCERT also encouraged users to verify suspicious web links before opening them by using the National CERT Phish Radar platform. The service enables users to check potentially suspicious URLs before visiting them, providing an additional layer of protection against phishing websites and malicious online content. The verification platform is available at https://www.pkcert-phish-radar.logiqcurve.com/. By checking links before clicking, users can reduce the chances of exposing personal information or compromising their devices through fraudulent websites. The advisory reflects the growing importance of public awareness as cybercriminals continue to rely on deceptive messages distributed through widely used communication platforms, including SMS and WhatsApp, to target individuals with fake promotions, financial offers and other social engineering tactics.
PKCERT emphasized that staying alert and verifying online content before interacting with it remains essential for protecting personal information and maintaining digital security. The advisory encourages the public to exercise caution whenever they receive unexpected messages promising financial rewards, particularly those requesting users to click links or provide confidential information. By following basic cybersecurity practices such as avoiding suspicious links, refusing to share sensitive information, ignoring fraudulent messages and using the National CERT Phish Radar platform to verify questionable URLs, individuals can significantly reduce their exposure to phishing attempts and online scams. Through continued public awareness initiatives, PKCERT aims to help users recognize fraudulent campaigns and adopt safer online habits while strengthening cybersecurity awareness across Pakistan.
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