In ‘boss scam’ on Microsoft Teams platform, Pune firm loses Rs 30 lakh

A Pune-based engineering firm has suffered a loss of Rs 30 lakh following a cyber fraud perpetrated via Microsoft Teams, known as a "boss scam" or "whale phishing" attack. According to an FIR lodged at Bhosari MIDC police station, the perpetrator utilized a Microsoft Teams profile that mimicked the appearance and name of the company's director, infiltrating the company's Teams group.

The fraudster subsequently instructed an employee to transfer Rs 30 lakh to a designated bank account. Upon realizing the instruction was not from the actual director, the company alerted the police, who initiated an investigation to trace the perpetrator and recover the stolen funds. The police emphasized that this incident is significant as it was carried out through Microsoft Teams, a platform frequently used by companies for internal communication and instructions.