Ahmedabad Residents Lose ₹26.30 Lakh to Fake Investment, APK, and SIM Scams
Four individuals in Ahmedabad reported significant financial losses following distinct cyber fraud incidents involving deceptive investment schemes, malicious software, and unauthorized mobile service manipulations. The incidents collectively resulted in a total loss of ₹26.30 lakh.
How Did a Fake Stock Market Scheme Cost ₹7.67 Lakh?
A 48-year-old grocery business owner from an LIG housing colony near Odhav police outpost reported losing ₹7.67 lakh after engaging with a fraudulent advertisement promising guaranteed returns on stock market investments. The victim was added to a group titled “SAMCO Investor Education Community,” where individuals claiming to represent a SEBI-registered entity allegedly displayed fabricated profit statements. Based on these claims, the victim transferred funds through multiple UPI IDs and bank accounts. When attempting to withdraw the money, the perpetrators allegedly demanded additional payments for supposed commission and penalty fees.
How Did a Fake Traffic Fine Message Lead to ₹5 Lakh Loss?
A 45-year-old flower shop owner received a message from a virtual number alleging an outstanding ₹1,000 traffic fine. The message instructed the recipient to download a file to settle the debt. After opening the attachment, the victim’s RBL Bank credit card was exploited to conduct unauthorized transactions totaling ₹5 lakh on e-commerce platforms.
How Was ₹6.97 Lakh Taken After a SIM Stopped Working?
A 49-year-old textile trader experienced sudden disruption of mobile services, including incoming and outgoing calls. An unknown party allegedly accessed the victim’s MyJio account, altered the secondary contact number, and initiated a SIM deactivation request. During the inactive period, transaction OTPs were not received, allowing unauthorized access to ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank net banking accounts. The fraudsters liquidated fixed deposits and transferred ₹6.97 lakh to a Kalyan Jewellers UPI ID.
How Did Call Forwarding Lead to a ₹6.66 Lakh Fraud?
A 73-year-old retiree received a text message referencing a court case linked to vehicle registration GJ01NT7298. Clicking on a link labeled “mparivahan” compromised the device, enabling call and message forwarding to a secondary number. Using this access, four nighttime transactions totaling ₹6.66 lakh were executed from the victim’s ICICI Bank account. The fraud was discovered after a bank call center contact alerted the individual.
What Methods Were Used in the Four Frauds?
The cases involved multiple tactics to exploit victims. The investment fraud utilized deceptive profit displays to lure targets into transferring funds. The SIM-related incident leveraged unauthorized account access to bypass authentication protocols. Call forwarding and malicious file downloads provided entry points for financial exploitation.
What Are Police Investigating?
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police are examining digital trails, including mobile numbers, bank accounts, and UPI IDs, to trace the perpetrators. The investigation focuses on identifying connections between the fraudulent activities and the financial transactions.
What This Means for Users
Cybercriminals often initiate attacks through seemingly legitimate communications, such as investment offers, traffic-related alerts, or mobile service disruptions. Users are advised to avoid downloading unknown applications, verify the authenticity of messages, and immediately contact financial institutions if mobile services malfunction or communications are redirected. The cases highlight the evolving tactics of cyber fraudsters, who employ diverse methods to access sensitive data and financial assets. Individuals must remain vigilant against suspicious links, unsolicited messages, and unverified investment opportunities.
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