TLI Staff
Tech savvy fraudsters do not leave opportunity to cheat even government agencies. In a latest case, they created dozens of websites and MobileApps on the government’s flagship health scheme PM-JAY to trick the gullible people.
Using the digital platforms, they started spreading misinformation about the much-appreciated mediclaim scheme offered by the central government under Ayushman Bharat.
The tricksters are reported to have duped many people using these websites which look similar to the one run by the government.
Under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the central government offers a health cover of Rs 5,00,000 per year to members of the vulnerable section of the society. Over 10.74 crore such families or about 50 crore people are covered in the mediclaim policy.
The fraudsters ran several fake websites to offer jobs under AB-PMJAY. But authorities have tightened the noose around them after getting complaints from the field officers.
“Nearly 135 fake MobileApps were reported to be used by them. Some 135 fake websites were also found to be up and running. They all have been taken down,” said an official in the health department.
A dedicated social media unit has also been set up to constantly monitor the frauds and identify the fake entities operating illegally and spreading misinformation about AB-PMJAY.
In May this year, Delhi Police had arrested several people in a case involving recruitment fraud related to Ayushman Bharat.
The universal mediclaim is one of the most ambitious projects of the Narendra Modi government. It seeks to eventually cover all the citizens who can not afford the high medical cost.
Under the scheme, about 1,50,000 wellness centres are proposed to be set up across the country. They will provide comprehensive primary health care covering both maternal and child health services. The drug and diagnostic services are to be provided for free.
Also read: Corporates, municipal bodies and citizens come forward to shun single-use plastic