Here are six ways to spot fake government notices

Here are five ways to determine whether an email is legitimate or a malicious attempt at manipulation:

1. Authentic government communications typically originate from official email addresses. Scrutinize the sender's email address meticulously. Legitimate government agencies utilize official domain names such as "@ib.gov.in" or "@ncrb.gov.in". Any deviation from this standard should raise immediate suspicion.

For instance, CNBCTV18 received a letter from a victim who received an email purportedly from "Policecybercell.mh10.gov.in@indiapoli-admin.com," signalling a potential fraudulent origin.

2. Government communications are generally well-drafted, free from grammatical errors, and adhere to a formal tone. Typos, awkward phrasing, or an unprofessional tone can be indicative of a fraudulent email.

For example - A quick look at the document and it's easy to see how the spellings and font size in the document are all over the place.

3. A quick search on Google will help you with which government organisations are legit. Cross-check the information provided in the email with official sources. Legitimate government agencies have publicly available contact details.

For example - The victim received the mail from an agency called - the National Response Centre For Cyber Crime. While there is no government organisation that goes by this name, there is also no legitimate government agency called Indian Cyber Squad or the Cyber Cell India.

4. Fact-check the content of the email by confirming whether the implicated government agencies actually perform the actions mentioned. For example - the Bureau of Police Research and Development primarily engages in research, development, training, and correctional administration, not cyber-related issues. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as the sole nodal agency for Interpol in India. Cross-referencing information through tools like Google Search is essential.

5. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) typically do not engage directly with the public. It is highly improbable for individuals to receive emails directly from these agencies. Additionally, the collaboration of a state police force with central nodal agencies to send documents to individuals is also unlikely.

6. Also, no legitimate government agency or police department will contact individuals accused of offences privately, issuing threats to disclose information to the media.

Triveni Singh, SP - Cyber Crime, Uttar Pradesh, expressed serious concern over the recent surge in fraudulent government notices falsely threatening individuals with arrest for viewing explicit content. He emphasized the deceptive nature of these notices, which not only spread misinformation but also instil unnecessary panic and anxiety among the public.

"We urge everyone to be vigilant and not fall prey to such scams. If you receive such a notice, please do not respond or make any payments. Instead, report the matter to the nearest police station or cyber crime cell immediately. Remember, the police will never ask for money or personal information over email or phone. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a notice, please verify with the authorities before taking any action," Singh told CNBCTV18.