Fake Customer Care Scam Swindles ₹1.50 Crore in Varanasi

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Varanasi Residents Lose Nearly ₹1.5 Crore in Phony Customer Service Scams

Over the past year, at least 114 people in Varanasi have fallen victim to a sophisticated cybercrime scheme, collectively losing nearly ₹1.5 crore.

Modus Operandi of the Scammers

The scammers used manipulated Google listings, fake websites, and social media profiles to target victims.
They posed as bank officials, hotel managers, or customer support representatives to convince individuals to share one-time passwords (OTPs), install screen-sharing apps, or click on remote-access links.
This allowed the scammers to access victims’ bank accounts and drain their funds.

Tactics Used by the Scammers

Sharing edited screenshots of small transactions to build trust with victims.
Requests for larger payments or sensitive banking information.
In some cases, victims unknowingly allowed malware or remote-access tools onto their devices after clicking suspicious links.

According to police and cybercell officials, “The majority of victims were highly educated and digitally savvy individuals, including doctors, professors, and business owners. Women were particularly targeted through online earning and investment scams, with nearly 70 women falling victim to such schemes over the past two years, losing approximately ₹67 lakh.”

Law enforcement officials note that the ease with which educated individuals can be tricked into divulging sensitive financial information highlights the need for greater awareness and education on online security practices.