Hyderabad businessman loses Rs. 2.9 lakhs while trying to renew TV subscription
Hyderabad: A 40-year-old businessman from Hyderabad fell victim to an online scam, losing Rs. 2,92,820 while trying to renew his TV subscription (AIWA). According to the Hyderabad Cybercrime Police, the incident occurred when the victim searched for customer care information to resolve his expired subscription.
The victim dialed a contact number he found online, 1800 102 9936, to discuss the recharge issue. The scammer then provided a personal mobile number and requested a nominal fee of Rs. 10 for verification. However, the payment attempt failed when he tried to send the money to the number 9398217253.
Shortly thereafter, the scammer sent a link to download a “Customer Support App.” After installing the app, the victim was asked to provide three banking details, which he unwittingly shared. Within 30 minutes, his phone was hacked, leading to malfunctions and resulting in a total of Rs. 2,92,820 being automatically debited from his three bank accounts.
Public Advisory:
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and take the following precautions:
Be wary of calls requesting personal information or asking you to install remote access apps under the guise of assistance.
Do not share bank account, credit/debit card details, or sensitive information with anyone.
Never disclose OTPs, PINs, or CVVs for any reason.
If you notice any suspicious activity, change your account passwords, CVV, and PIN immediately.
Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities or unauthorized transactions.
Scammers may claim that your account has been compromised or that KYC is pending. Remember, genuine banks and financial institutions will never ask for confidential information in this manner.
In case of financial fraud, immediately dial 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in to report the incident to your bank. For emergencies related to cyber fraud, contact 100 or 112.