A 60-year-old Bengaluru man recently became a victim of a sophisticated scam, losing a staggering Rs 2.8 crore. The scammers posed as bank employees and deceived him into activating a credit card using a SIM card and smartphone they provided. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how this scam unfolded.
In November of last year, the victim received a WhatsApp call from fraudsters claiming to be Citibank representatives. They informed him that a credit card had been issued in his name and required activation. To activate the card, they insisted that he change his phone number to an Airtel number. To facilitate this change, they offered to send him a new smartphone and SIM card.
How the Scam Happened:
The victim complied and received a Redmi smartphone worth Rs 10,000 and a new SIM card on December 1. Following the scammers’ instructions, he activated the credit card using the new SIM. It wasn’t long before he noticed he was no longer receiving bank notifications. Upon checking his account, he was horrified to find that Rs 2.8 crore had been withdrawn without his consent.
According to cybersecurity experts, the Redmi phone sent to the victim was embedded with malware. This malicious software allowed the scammers to capture sensitive information soon after the device was set up, compromising the victim’s bank details. Consequently, they were able to bypass security measures and siphon off funds undetected. Authorities are currently investigating the matter.
How to Protect Yourself from Such Scams:
To safeguard against similar scams, consider the following precautions:
- Never share personal information over the phone, especially with unsolicited callers.
- Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, such as free devices or services.
- Always verify the identity of callers claiming to be from financial institutions.
- Use trusted sources for your online transactions and communications.
For more tips on how to stay safe online and exclusive offers on cybersecurity tools, visit Looffers.com.
Stay informed and vigilant to protect your hard-earned money from scams like these!
