Indian Deputy Commander Loses Lakhs to Water Bill Scam via Malicious APK Link

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Cyber Scammers Exploit Fear of Service Disruption to Steal ₹8.83 Lakh from Army Officer

A recent case of cyber fraud in Chandigarh has highlighted the growing threat of APK-based scams, where attackers use malicious links to gain access to victims’ devices and sensitive information.

Scam Details

In this instance, a Territorial Army Deputy Commander lost ₹8.83 lakh to scammers who posed as officials from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department of Jammu & Kashmir.

The scam began with a phone call on February 5, in which the caller claimed that the officer’s water bill was overdue and threatened to disconnect his water supply if payment was not made immediately. The caller then sent a link to the officer, which he was tricked into installing on his phone. Unbeknownst to the officer, the link was a malicious APK file that allowed the scammers to access his device and banking credentials.

Consequences of the Scam

Shortly after installing the APK, the officer received a message informing him that his fixed deposit of ₹13.72 lakh had been prematurely closed and the amount transferred to his savings account. The scammers then carried out multiple transactions, withdrawing ₹8.83 lakh from the officer’s account.

The officer quickly realized that his account had been compromised and alerted his bank, lodging a police complaint with the Sector-17 Cyber Crime Police Station. An investigation is currently underway, with cybersecurity experts warning that APK-based frauds often involve the installation of malware that enables remote access or screen mirroring on the victim’s device.

This type of malware allows scammers to capture one-time passwords, passwords, and banking app data, which can be used to liquidate fixed deposits or other investments and transfer funds to savings accounts. In this case, the scammers were able to transfer the officer’s funds to their own accounts, highlighting the need for greater awareness and vigilance among the public.

Investigation and Precautions

Investigators are working to determine the full extent of the scam and the final destination of the stolen funds, which will be revealed once the digital and financial analysis is complete.

In the meantime, police have advised the public to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, and to never install unknown APK files on their devices. By staying informed and taking steps to protect themselves, individuals can reduce their risk of falling victim to these types of scams.