APK File Cyber Fraud: Lawyer and Railway Technician Lose Lakhs
Cyber Scammers Dupe Victims with APK File Ruse, Steal ₹2.71 Lakh
In a recent string of cyber fraud incidents, two individuals, a High Court lawyer and a senior North Central Railway technician, lost a total of ₹2.71 lakh to scammers who tricked them into installing malicious APK files.
The Lawyer’s Case
The lawyer, a resident of Purana Katra, initially contacted a number claiming to be Google Pay customer care to book a ticket from Delhi to Prayagraj. After the ticket was cancelled and a refund of ₹1,955 failed to materialize, he contacted the number again four days later. The scammer, posing as customer support, instructed the lawyer to install an APK file, which he believed was a necessary update for the Google Pay app. Unbeknownst to the lawyer, the file granted the scammer remote access to his phone.
While keeping the call on hold, the scammer accessed the lawyer’s bank accounts, including those of his wife and children, and transferred ₹1.93 lakh.
The Railway Technician’s Case
In a separate incident, the railway technician received an APK file purportedly as an official departmental update. Believing it to be legitimate, he installed the file, allowing the scammer to gain control of his device and steal ₹78,000.
According to cyber experts, APK files can install malware that enables criminals to view the screen, read one-time passwords (OTPs), and control banking apps remotely. Scammers often pose as customer care agents or government officials to gain trust and persuade victims to install remote access tools.
Law Enforcement Action
Law enforcement officials have begun tracing the transaction trail and coordinating with banks to recover the stolen funds. Citizens are urged to report such incidents immediately through the cyber helpline 1930 or the national cybercrime portal to facilitate swift action and freeze compromised accounts.
Prevention and Awareness
As cyber fraud cases continue to rise, officials emphasize the importance of mobile security and digital awareness to prevent such incidents. Users are advised to exercise caution when downloading and installing APK files, especially those from unverified sources.
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