Ahmedabad UPI Scam: Three Small Business Owners Defrauded of Rs 1.39 Lakh
In a concerning series of incidents in Ahmedabad, three small business owners have collectively lost Rs 1.39 lakh to fraudsters who impersonated representatives of popular UPI payment companies. The scams, executed in broad daylight, followed a deceptive pattern of building trust, gaining access to victims' phones, and swiftly transferring funds before the owners could realize the theft. Police have registered complaints and are probing whether these cases are connected to an organised cyber fraud network.
Modus Operandi: A Trust-Based Deception
The fraudsters employed a consistent strategy across all three cases. They first approached the victims under the guise of employees from payment platforms like Paytm or PhonePe, often offering assistance with technical issues or account services. Once they established a rapport, they requested access to the victim's smartphone under pretenses such as processing a deactivation or verifying an account. This access allowed them to quickly initiate unauthorized transactions from linked bank accounts, sometimes even deleting banking apps and SMS alerts to cover their tracks.
Case Details: Victims and Their Losses
Case 1: Laundryman in Ghatlodia
A 22-year-old laundryman was visited by a man claiming to be a Paytm employee. The fraudster stated he needed to deactivate the shop's Paytm sound box and asked to use the victim's phone to process the request. Within minutes, Rs 50,000 was transferred out of the laundryman's bank account. The Ghatlodia police have registered a complaint in this matter.
Case 2: Street Food Vendor in Sarkhej
A street food vendor in Sarkhej was approached by two men posing as PhonePe representatives. They offered to replace a faulty speaker and asked him to make a Re 1 transaction to verify his account. After gaining his trust, they took his phone, accessed his banking app, and transferred Rs 45,000 in multiple transactions. To evade detection, they deleted the banking app and SMS alerts, ensuring no notifications would alert the victim.
Case 3: Juice Vendor in Vastrapur
A 55-year-old juice vendor in Vastrapur was cheated of Rs 44,999. The accused had previously visited him to help set up a Paytm account, building familiarity. On their return, they offered to activate an auto-transfer facility and used the access to drain his linked bank account. This case highlights how fraudsters exploit repeated interactions to lower victims' guard.
Police Investigation and Broader Implications
All three complaints have been formally registered with the Ahmedabad police, who are actively investigating the incidents. Authorities are examining whether these scams are part of a larger, organised cyber fraud network targeting small businesses. This trend underscores the growing threat of digital payment frauds in urban areas, where scammers prey on individuals who may be less tech-savvy or overly trusting of official-looking representatives.
Preventive Measures for Small Business Owners
- Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a payment company by contacting the official customer service directly.
- Never hand over your smartphone or share banking credentials with strangers, even if they appear legitimate.
- Enable two-factor authentication and regularly monitor bank statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Report suspicious activities immediately to local police or cybercrime units to prevent further losses.
As digital payments become more prevalent, such incidents serve as a stark reminder for business owners to remain vigilant against sophisticated fraud tactics. The Ahmedabad police urge the public to stay informed and cautious to protect their hard-earned money from similar scams.
