Hyderabadi loses ₹2 lakh in internet fraud after downloading the 7-Eleven app from a fraudulent website.
The fraudster he contacted on WhatsApp shared a phony URL from which the victim downloaded an app. The cybercrime department is currently digging into this matter and believes that Chinese gangs are responsible for creating the bogus app.
Hyderabad: Scammers have been seen utilizing well-known brands to trick people and steal money in an emerging category of cybercrime. Online con artists constructed a fake mobile app for a well-known retail chain in the most recent incident to defraud a man in Hyderabad out of ₹2 lakhs.
Thirupathi Reddy, the 42-year-old victim and a resident of Alwal’s Ayyappa Nagar Colony, reported the scam to the cybercrime wing. According to TOI, he claimed in his complaint that he had been the victim of a sophisticated con carried out using a phony “7-Eleven” smartphone application.
Reddy disclosed that he had been approached by an unidentified person who discussed a business opportunity to acquire a 7-Eleven franchise, a well-known American network of convenience stores. He was also connected to a WhatsApp group by the con artists for additional communication. The victim carried out the directions because she thought they were legitimate business opportunities to make money.
Later, he was told to visit a website and download an application. The victim revealed that between July 23 and July 31, he invested ₹2.1 lakh in the company. After a while, though, he was unable to get in touch with the scammers, and they even took down the bogus websites from which they had been encouraging people to download the software.
“The scammers contacted him over a WhatsApp group after introducing an app through the URL ‘http://7-eleven.top’. After taking money from multiple victims, the domain recently vanished after being formally registered on March 7. In addition to www.seven-eleven.top, www.seven-11.xyz, www.7-elevenonline.vip, www.seveneleven.top, and www.7-11online.vip, the fraudsters also built a number of other websites. After stealing money, these web pages were later taken down, he claimed.
The victim also sent images of communications and transaction logs to the app developers as proof in his complaint. He said he thought there might be additional individuals who had lost money as a result of this fake program.
The victim further disclosed that despite the websites being taken down, a Telegram group for “7-Eleven” that is still active and has more than 3,100 subscribers still exists. By giving them the ability to withdraw money at any time and earn rewards by recruiting others, this group entices investors.
The Cyberabad police have indicated that these dishonest websites and applications are made by fly-by-night operators with brief careers who intend to dupe unknowing victims while the case is still under investigation. The Cyberabad police’s cybercrime unit believes Chinese gangs are responsible for the development of this software.
Police have, meantime urged the public to be on the lookout for such scams. It warns that if you receive an online approach, it is best to report it as offers that appear too tempting to be real are probably scammers, and you risk losing money. Additionally, avoid clicking on unconfirmed links and never divulge any private or delicate information to anyone, including bank account information. Never send funds to somebody you don’t know, as well. Always check the websites and people before continuing if it is for business reasons.
About The Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer that specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blog, he’s also written for brands including CollegeDunia, Utsav Fashion, and NASSCOM. Naager entered the field of content in an unusual way. He began his career as an insurance sales executive, where he developed an interest in simplifying difficult concepts. He also combines this interest with a love of narrative, which makes him a good writer in the cybersecurity field. In the bottom line, he frequently writes for Craw Security.
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