Hyderabad employee falls victim to Rs. 8.6 lakh cyber scam via WhatsApp
Hyderabad: A 42-year-old male private employee from Hyderabad became a victim of cyber fraud, losing a significant sum of Rs. 8,59,600 (eight lakh fifty-nine thousand six hundred only).
The Cybercrime police said that the victim received a fraudulent WhatsApp message claiming to be from Union Bank of India. The message instructed him to click on a link. Believing it to be legitimate, the victim clicked the link and unknowingly provided his personal details, including his mobile number and Aadhaar number.
Shortly after, the victim received a phone call from a scammer. The scammer falsely claimed a large sum of money was deposited into his account and advised him to be cautious. Following this deceptive conversation, the call ended abruptly. Within minutes, the victim received an SMS notification alerting him of a substantial withdrawal of Rs. 8,59,600 from his bank account.
The victim has filed a complaint with the Cybercrime police, requesting strict action against the scammers.
Public Alert: Beware of online scams
• Never respond to emails, embedded links in messages, or unsolicited calls requesting updates or verification of KYC documents, user ID/password, debit card number, PIN, CVV, or OTP.
• If you mistakenly reveal your credentials, immediately change your passwords, CVV, and PIN.
• Fraudsters often employ fraudulent phone numbers, text messages, voice-altering software, and social engineering tactics to manipulate users into disclosing sensitive information. During phishing calls, scammers typically try to create a sense of urgency or exploit fears about account security or pending KYC updates.
• Banks, financial institutions, the RBI, and any legitimate entity will never ask customers to share confidential details like usernames, passwords, credit card details/CVV/OTP. Never share these details with anyone, including family or friends.
• Phishing calls often aim to instill fear, leading people to surrender their sensitive information. However, if you have concerns about the security of your accounts, it is always advisable to visit your bank or financial institution in person.
Ways to report Cybercrime:
If you suspect you have become a victim of cyber financial fraud, report the incident immediately by dialing the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930 or visiting the official portal, Cybercrime.gov.in. Additionally, for urgent assistance with cyber fraud, you can call or WhatsApp the helpline number 8712665171.
