Hyderabad: A 42-year-old private employee from Hyderabad has fallen victim to a cyber fraud scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs. 1,46,507. The incident occurred after the victim received a call from a scammer requesting the One-Time Password (OTP) associated with an Ola booking.

According to the cybercrime police, the victim informed the caller that they had not booked any Ola ride and did not share the OTP. Furthermore, the victim did not disclose any bank or credit card details to the scammer. Despite these precautions, a total of Rs. 1,46,507 was debited from the victim’s ICICI credit card. The victim has since filed a complaint with the cybercrime police for assistance.

Public Advisory:

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant against cyber fraud. Key recommendations include:

Do not respond to emails or click on embedded links in messages.

Be cautious of calls asking to update or verify KYC details such as User ID, Password, Debit Card Number, PIN, CVV, or OTP. If you have accidentally revealed any credentials, immediately change your passwords, CVV, and PIN.

Scammers often attempt to extract personal and financial information by claiming your account has been compromised or that KYC verification is pending.

Genuine entities, including bank officials and financial institutions, will never ask customers to share confidential information like usernames, passwords, credit card details, CVV, or OTP. Never share these details with anyone, including family and friends.

If you receive a suspicious call, it’s advisable to visit your bank or financial institution in person to ensure your safety.

If you are a victim of cyber fraud, report the incident immediately by dialing 1930 or visiting http://cybercrime.gov.in. For emergencies related to cyber fraud, you can also call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.