Fraudsters Impersonate Acquaintances, Trick Victims into Downloading Apps, Duping Them of Lakhs

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Cyber Scammers Exploit Familiarity to Defraud Two Victims of Large Sums

In two recent incidents reported in the state capital, cyber fraudsters successfully duped victims out of substantial amounts of money by posing as acquaintances and coercing them into downloading apps. The cases highlight the growing threat of online deception and the need for increased vigilance among citizens.

First Incident: Unauthorized Transactions through App Download

In the first incident, a resident of the Para locality received a phone call from an individual claiming to be someone he knew. The caller requested technical assistance and convinced the victim to download an app, which ultimately led to multiple unauthorized transactions from his accounts. The fraudster transferred ₹29,999 three times and ₹99,999 once through the victim’s credit card, and an additional ₹1,99,997.54 was withdrawn via UPI transactions. The total loss amounted to over ₹1.89 lakh.

Following the transactions, the scammer made a video call and instructed the victim to delete his call history and mobile data. The phone was then switched off, and the victim only became aware of the fraud when he received transaction alerts from his bank.

Second Incident: Unauthorized Withdrawal through Digital Transactions

In a separate incident, a woman’s bank account was fraudulently debited of ₹2,13,000. Despite not sharing her OTP or clicking on any suspicious links, the amount was withdrawn through digital transactions. After noticing the unauthorized withdrawals, she immediately informed her bank and lodged a complaint with the police.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the transactions were executed through digital means, and technical analysis is underway to trace the origin of the attacks.

Experts emphasize the importance of vigilance in preventing such incidents. Citizens are advised to exercise caution when sharing personal information or granting remote access to their devices. It is also crucial to report suspicious transactions immediately to the 1930 cyber helpline.

As digital transactions become increasingly common, cyber scammers are adopting more sophisticated tactics to exploit unsuspecting victims. Timely reporting and awareness remain the most effective safeguards against financial loss.