New WhatsApp Wedding Invite Scam Hits Bijnor and Amroha
A dangerous new form of cybercrime has emerged in the districts of Bijnor and Amroha, where residents are losing money after receiving malicious files disguised as festive wedding invitations on WhatsApp. The scam involves APK files—application packages for Android phones—that look like digital wedding cards but secretly install malware on victims' devices.
How the Elaborate Scam Operates
In the past two months alone, the Bijnor cyber police have registered at least 15 complaints from people who clicked on these deceptive links. The moment the APK file is installed, it activates a virus that gives fraudsters complete control over the victim's smartphone. This unauthorized access allows criminals to bypass security and gain entry to banking applications and sensitive personal data.
One victim, Dr Omprakash Chauhan, a resident of Dhampur in Bijnor, recounted his experience. He received what appeared to be a standard wedding invitation link on WhatsApp. Trusting the source, he clicked it without hesitation. "I didn't think twice. It looked like a regular invite, but within minutes of opening the file, Rs 31,000 was deducted from my bank account," he said. Authorities noted an even more insidious aspect of the scam: in some instances, the infected phones automatically forwarded the malicious link to all of the victim's contacts, spreading the trap further without the user's knowledge.
Police Warnings and National Cybercrime Trends
Dr Krishna Gopal, Bijnor's Additional Superintendent of Police (City), stated that police have been actively alerting residents about such digital threats. "These files come disguised as APKs that people download, thinking they're receiving a personalised invite. The moment it's installed, it activates a virus that takes control of the phone," he explained. He urged the public to adopt basic but critical precautions: don't download anything from unknown sources, don't click on suspicious links, and never share OTPs with anyone.
This alarming trend is not confined to Bijnor. Across India, cybercrime is growing in both volume and sophistication. In 2023 alone, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs recorded a staggering over 12 lakh cybercrime complaints. Officers identified the 'digital invitation' scam as one of the fastest-growing trends, where malware is spread under the guise of festive greetings, event invites, or promotional messages, primarily targeting users on messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
In Bijnor district, police have registered over 3,500 cyber fraud complaints so far this year. They highlighted that newer tactics like APK-based malware are making detection and prevention increasingly difficult. Official guidelines advise:
- Using strong, unique passwords.
- Updating antivirus software regularly.
- Avoiding the installation of APK files from unfamiliar sources, as these files do not come from official app stores and can bypass device-level security.
A Close Call and a Final Warning
A similar case was reported in the neighbouring Amroha district, specifically in Hasanpur. An unknown individual gained unauthorized access and transferred Rs 3.5 lakh from the bank account of Sarita Singh. Fortunately, the local cyber cell team investigated the case and managed to recover and return the full amount to Singh's account. While this recovery brought relief, police emphasized that it should be treated as a serious warning for all citizens.
In an official appeal, Amroha police issued a stark reminder: "Do not share personal or financial details, passwords, or OTPs with anyone. Avoid making payments through any links or mobile apps unless you've verified their source. These scams rely on people trusting too easily, so awareness is the first step to prevention." They urged the public to spread this message to family and friends and reminded victims to report cybercrime immediately by dialling the national helpline 1930 for timely recovery actions.
