Secunderabad man loses Rs. 5.8L to cyber scam posing as insurance reimbursement
Hyderabad: A 58-year-old man from Secunderabad fell victim to a scam and lost Rs. 5,81,606 after being targeted by fraudsters posing as officials from the IGMS Department. The victim, who holds multiple insurance policies with companies such as Bharti AXA Life, PNB MetLife, Max Life, HDFC Life, Future Generali, India First Life, and Reliance Nippon Life, received calls from two numbers, 9266059751 and 9711050973.
The callers claimed to be from the IGMS Department and informed the victim about reimbursement from various insurance companies under a fabricated case file number, CPC No. RAJ/35901/2024/3141M. They convinced the victim to pay 5% of the supposed reimbursement amount into an NPCI SERVICES account for processing.
The victim made the initial payment using an SBI credit card. Later, an individual claiming to be an accountant from NPCI assured the victim of further processing. The fraudsters then demanded additional amounts under various pretenses, including “final processing fees” and “file clearance charges.” The victim paid these amounts using an HDFC credit card and an SBI savings account after withdrawing funds from his Provident Fund.
Despite repeated follow-ups, the scammers cited reasons like elections in Maharashtra and Delhi for delays in processing the reimbursement. After multiple payments, the fraudsters stopped all communication, leaving the victim with a total loss of Rs. 5,81,606.
Public Advisory:
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting individuals with multiple insurance policies, claiming they are entitled to reimbursements. They often pose as officials from the IGMS Department and use fake case numbers to gain trust. These scammers ask for advance payments, directing funds to NPCI Services accounts, and later demand more money under various pretexts. Once the payments are made, they stop responding to calls.
To avoid falling victim to such scams:
• Always verify calls and emails with your insurance provider before making any payments. Insurance companies never ask for advance payments.
• Never share personal information, including bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive information over the phone.
• Be cautious if you receive unsolicited calls claiming you’re entitled to a large refund. Always verify with your insurance company directly.
If you’ve been targeted by such fraudsters, immediately contact your bank to report fraudulent transactions and seek help in recovering your funds.
To report cyber fraud, call 1930 or file a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in. In case of an emergency, contact the cybercrime helpline via WhatsApp or call 8712665171.
