A 37-year-old resident of Thaltej in Ahmedabad was allegedly cheated of Rs 1 lakh after the WhatsApp account of a relative based in the United States was hacked. The Bodakdev police have registered a complaint of cheating and breach of trust in connection with the incident.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to the complainant, she received messages on February 9 from the relative's WhatsApp number requesting urgent financial assistance. The messages claimed that Rs 1 lakh was needed immediately. Trusting the request due to close family ties, she arranged a transfer to a bank account provided through WhatsApp. The money was sent in two transactions to the specified account.
Soon after, a message confirmed: "The money has been received." The next day, another message arrived, seeking an additional Rs 1 lakh. Suspicious, the complainant informed her father, who contacted another relative and learned that the original relative's WhatsApp account had been hacked.
Police Action and Investigation
The Bodakdev police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and breach of trust. An investigation is underway to trace the fraudsters and recover the stolen amount. Authorities have urged citizens to verify any urgent financial requests received through messaging platforms, especially from known contacts, by confirming through a phone call or other means.
Preventive Measures Against Such Scams
- Enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp and other messaging apps.
- Never share sensitive information or transfer money based solely on text messages.
- Contact the person directly via a phone call or in person if they request financial help.
- Report any suspicious activity to the cyber crime helpline or local police immediately.
This incident highlights the growing trend of cyber fraud where scammers hack WhatsApp accounts to impersonate relatives or friends. The public is advised to exercise caution and adopt robust security practices to safeguard against such threats.
