Bareilly: In a shocking case of cyber fraud in the Baheri area, cybercriminals tricked a young man into believing he could obtain an American Express card, defrauding him of Rs 5,02,728. The victim reported that the amount was withdrawn from his account in seven transactions. An FIR has been registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station.
Mukesh Garg, a resident of Baheri, revealed that he received a call from an unknown number on WhatsApp. The caller lured him with the promise of facilitating an American Express credit card. Trusting the fraudster, Mukesh shared sensitive information, including his credit card details, Aadhaar card, and PAN card.
Subsequently, under the pretext of offering further assistance, the fraudster convinced Mukesh to share his phone screen. Using this access, the scammer was able to view the OTPs sent to Mukesh’s phone, allowing them to carry out seven transactions, draining Rs 5,02,728 from his account. By the time Mukesh realized the deception, his account had been emptied.
Mukesh promptly filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and registered an FIR at the Cyber Crime Police Station.
The Modus Operandi of Cybercriminals
Often, victims claim they never shared OTPs with anyone, raising questions about how their accounts were compromised. Experts explain that unknowingly, individuals may install applications that allow remote screen sharing, giving fraudsters access to sensitive information, including OTPs.
Fraudsters frequently persuade victims to install apps like “Quick Support,” which functions similarly to “AnyDesk.” Due to its misleading name, many unsuspecting users fall prey, unaware that it grants remote access to their device. Through such tactics, cybercriminals execute fraudulent transactions effortlessly.
The Cyber Crime Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers, and refrain from installing suspicious applications. In case of any fraudulent activity, individuals are advised to immediately contact the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) for prompt assistance.
