Online AC Service Costly: Officer Loses Lakh in Expensive Repair

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A government employee in Haryana’s Rewari district lost ₹4.03 lakh after falling victim to a cyber fraud scheme involving a malicious APK file.

The Incident

A government officer in Haryana’s Rewari district fell victim to a cyber fraud scheme that resulted in the unauthorized withdrawal of ₹4.03 lakh from their bank account. The incident occurred after the individual searched for air conditioner service providers online and subsequently engaged with a malicious application distributed through an unverified source.

The Timeline

The victim, identified as Kamal Singh from Bawal, conducted a Google search for AC repair services on June 15. Shortly afterward, they received an APK file via an unspecified communication channel. A subsequent phone call from an unknown party guided the victim through installing the file and entering personal details, falsely claiming the action was required to initiate a service request.

Aftermath and Investigation

Following the installation, the victim’s mobile device was compromised, enabling attackers to access banking credentials. On June 18, the individual received multiple transaction alerts from their bank, revealing seven separate withdrawals totaling ₹4,03,752. The debited amounts included ₹49,999, ₹50,000, ₹70,000, ₹95,000, ₹10,298, ₹71,631, and ₹56,824. Upon discovering the unauthorized transactions, the victim immediately contacted the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and later filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station.

Investigators are examining the malicious APK file to determine its capabilities, including whether it utilized remote access tools, screen mirroring techniques, or other malware-based methods to execute the fraud.

Expert Opinions

According to Prof. Triveni Singh, a former IPS officer and cybersecurity analyst, users should avoid installing APK files from untrusted sources and verify the authenticity of service providers through official channels.

Cybercrime experts highlighted the growing prevalence of tactics involving fake customer service numbers, fraudulent websites, and malicious applications. Local cyber police have reiterated warnings to the public, urging individuals to independently confirm contact details for customer service numbers and exercise caution when engaging with unsolicited digital communications.

Conclusion

The case underscores the risks associated with unverified online interactions and the importance of digital security awareness in preventing financial losses.