HIGHLIGHTS

How a WhatsApp Message Led to a Financial Loss for Hari Krishnan

A Fraudulent Traffic Violation Notice with a Fake Receipt Number

Uncovering the Dangers of Cyber Scams in the Digital Era

In our increasingly connected world, the sophistication of cybercriminals is becoming more alarming by the day. In a recent incident that took place in Bengaluru, a 42-year-old resident named Hari Krishnan fell victim to an elaborate scam involving a fake traffic violator’s notice, resulting in a significant loss of Rs 70,000. This account serves as a cautionary tale revealing how easily such scams can unfold.

The incident began on January 19 when Hari received an unsettling WhatsApp message from the number 8318732950. The message accused his SUV of violating traffic regulations, insisting that he needed to pay a fine to avoid further consequences. To make the threat seem legitimate, the message even provided a receipt number.

For more related stories, check out this article: Bengaluru woman loses Rs 2 lakh after pressing ‘1’ on a fake IVR call.

Alarmed by the message’s claims, Hari followed the included instructions to download the Vahan Parivahan app from a provided link. Despite his phone warning him that the file was high-risk, he decided to proceed with the download. This misguided action initiated a series of troubling events; shortly thereafter, Hari received multiple One-Time Passwords (OTPs) on his phone, indicative of unauthorized transactions. To his horror, he later discovered that a total of Rs 70,000 had been siphoned off from his credit card to an unknown e-commerce site.

Adding to the tension, his wife began receiving alerts warning her of attempts to access her bank account, as the apps on her phone were linked to Hari’s number. Luckily, the fraudsters were unsuccessful in breaching her accounts, but the incident raised alarm bells for the couple.

In an attempt to rectify the situation, Hari promptly contacted his bank to block any further transactions. Unfortunately, by the time he acted, the fraudulent transactions had already been completed, leaving him with no recourse.

For additional insights on online fraud, read this article: Maharashtra man loses Rs 54.9 lakh in online job scam: Here’s how to avoid such frauds.

Tips to Safeguard Against Such Scams

• Be cautious with unknown links, particularly those sent via messaging apps like WhatsApp or SMS.
• Always verify any traffic fines directly through official government portals rather than relying on third-party applications.
• Avoid downloading APK files from sources that you cannot verify, as they are often laced with malware.
• Secure your banking apps by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection.

The rise in cyber fraud is undeniable, but vigilance can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these deceitful schemes. Always pause and verify before proceeding with any online transactions; your financial security may depend on it.