A 50-year-old businessman was conned in an online shopping scam to the tune of ₹1.28 lakh after installing a malicious app sent by fraudsters posing as representatives from a popular retail chain.

The scam began when the victim came across a social media advertisement on Facebook offering discounts on shopping and groceries. Interested in the offer, he clicked on the link and entered his card details, including the card number and CVV. However, due to a technical issue, the transaction did not go through.

The next day, he received a call, with the person claiming to be from the retail chain. The fraudster assured him that the discount is still available and sent a WhatsApp link, instructing the victim to download and open it. The victim followed the instructions, allowing the fraudster to gain remote access to his mobile screen through the malicious app.

“The fraudster then asked the victim to enter his date of birth. A few minutes later, the victim received an SMS notification stating that ₹1,28,738 had been debited from his credit card. Although he never shared the OTP, the scammer was able to complete the transaction by monitoring his device in real time,” explained the police.

Cybercrime authorities have warned against a surge in APK-based scams, where fraudsters trick users into installing harmful applications that compromise their banking details.

“If anyone suspects fraud, they should immediately change their banking credentials and report the incident to their bank. Victims of cyber fraud should dial 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint. In case of urgent assistance, they can call or WhatsApp 8712665171,” advised the police.

Published - February 28, 2025 06:46 pm IST