Fake Refunds, Malware And Prize Scams! Four Victims Lose Over ₹4.26 Lakh To Cyber Fraudsters In Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh - Cyber criminals are employing a range of deceptive methods to defraud unsuspecting victims, resulting in the loss of over ₹4.26 lakh in four separate cases. The victims in Bhopal were approached through various tactics, including fake refund offers, malware, fraudulent customer care numbers, and deceitful prize messages.

Dilshad Khan, residing in Sudama Nagar, Aishbagh, received a call from an internet source, pretending to be a customer care executive. The criminals requested that he provide another bank account and enter UPI codes. As a result, they managed to siphon off Rs 35,417 from Khan's two bank accounts.

Jitendra Pandit from Bagsewania fell victim to malware that infiltrated his banking app. On November 3, his mobile displayed a warning about suspicious accessibility services. Over the next three days, he made five unauthorized transactions totaling Rs 2,08,500. Police suspect that the malware was responsible for the unauthorized access, and no one was asked for an OTP during these transactions.

Bike taxi driver Lokesh Sahu, based in Shivnagar, Chhola Mandir, experienced an unexpected turn of events when his SIM suddenly became inactive on November 5. Upon restoring his SIM, Sahu discovered that Rs 54,249 had been fraudulently withdrawn from his bank account through twelve unauthorized UPI transactions. Similarly, Arun Kumar Upadhyay was lured by a fraudulent prize message from a private company.

He unwittingly provided his Aadhaar, bank details, and OTP on a fraudulent website, leading to the debiting of Rs 1,28,195 from his bank account.