HIGHLIGHTS

A scam disguised as government benefits from the PM Kisan scheme was spread through a WhatsApp message.

The affected individual inadvertently shared an OTP, allowing fraudsters to empty his bank account.

Authorities are actively investigating the situation, reminding the public to verify any suspicious links before interacting with them.

A 53-year-old resident of Hyderabad became a target of a well-orchestrated scam after he received a seemingly legitimate link through a WhatsApp message. Employed at a private firm, the man, residing in Old Safilguda, received the message from an unknown number that claimed affiliations with the PM Kisan scheme. This scheme is well-known across India for providing monetary support to agricultural workers. The fraudulent message highlighted key benefits, making it appear genuine, which ultimately led the victim to click on the link, redirecting him to a malicious website.

Under the impression that he was exploring authentic government offerings, the victim entered his personal details into the site. Following the website’s instructions, he soon received a one-time password (OTP). In a moment of trust, he proceeded to share the OTP, not realizing that this action would grant the scammers direct access to his bank account. Consequently, his account was depleted by a staggering Rs. 1.9 lakh as the criminals executed unauthorized withdrawals.

It was only after noticing irregularities in his bank transactions that the victim grasped the reality of his situation—he had fallen prey to an elaborate fraud scheme. Distressed and seeking justice, he promptly contacted the Rachakonda Cybercrime Police, who have since launched an investigation into the incident. Current reports indicate that law enforcement is working diligently to track down the culprits and has cautioned the public to be particularly vigilant when receiving unsolicited messages promising financial assistance.

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How to Stay Safe:

To protect oneself from such scams, it is crucial that individuals thoroughly verify the authenticity of any message purporting to offer government benefits. An effective way to confirm legitimacy is by visiting trusted official websites, such as PM Kisan at (pmkisan.gov.in) and the National Portal of India (india.gov.in). These platforms provide reliable information about ongoing governmental schemes.

Furthermore, individuals are strongly advised against clicking on links that appear suspicious or unsolicited through WhatsApp, emails, or any social media outlets. These platforms are commonly exploited by scammers to funnel users to counterfeit websites, where sensitive data—such as bank account details, PIN numbers, and passwords—can be unlawfully harvested.

If at any point you suspect that you are being targeted by a scam, it is imperative to report your concerns to the relevant authorities or through the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at (cybercrime.gov.in). Your vigilance and timely action can help combat cyber crimes and protect others from similar fates.