‘Accident Alert’ Notifications are a New Type of Online Fraud Bait
Accident Alert Notifications are a New Type of Online Fraud Bait
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: By sending out frightening “accident alert” messages alerting users that a close relative was engaged in a major accident, cybercriminals have developed a new lure to take advantage of people’s sense of urgency and anxiety. Police and cybercrime officials say the scam has expanded swiftly across rural and semi-urban areas, with victims losing money even without revealing OTPs or banking details.
In a recent case in Kheda district, a farmer received a call reporting that one of his family members had been involved in an accident. The caller quickly ended the call after telling him that the injured person’s photos would be transmitted via WhatsApp. The farmer soon received what looked to be an image file. When he clicked on it, an interface resembling a scanner appeared. He quickly erased the file and turned off his phone since he suspected something was wrong.
But when he went to an ATM a few hours later to get cash, he found that around Rs 50,000 had been taken out of his bank account. The money was embezzled through an internet transaction via a UPI-based transfer, according to a later check at the bank.
Later, the victim filed a complaint with the local police and the cybercrime helpline.
The fraud, according to cybersecurity experts, included remote access trojans (RATs) that were hidden in picture files, typically posing as JPGs. “Malicious software is installed on the phone as soon as the file is opened. Without the victim’s knowledge, it enables scammers to monitor the device, access banking apps, and start transactions,” an official stated.
This technique did not require victims to disclose links, PINs, or OTPs, in contrast to traditional fraud. The malware operated in the background and took advantage of accessibility permissions, making detection challenging until money was taken out.
Police cautioned individuals not to click unsolicited files or links received on chat systems, especially ones designed to provoke panic. “Emotional manipulation is a tactic used by scammers. The purpose of messages regarding accidents, hospital stays, or police situations is to compel prompt responses, according to an officer.
About The Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blogs, he also writes for brands including Craw Security, Bytecode Security, and NASSCOM.
Read More
PM Modi Took Action on the WinGo App Targeting Android User
About Author
English