Chandigarh Resident Duped in Sophisticated Credit Card Scam
A 35-year-old man from Chandigarh has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a total of Rs 1.7 lakh after falling for a scam that began with a WhatsApp message promising a credit card upgrade. The incident highlights the growing menace of digital financial frauds targeting unsuspecting citizens.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The victim, Pankaj Kumar, a resident of Sector 52 who works as a store manager at a jewellery shop in Manimajra, received an unexpected phone call on October 28. The caller, a woman, claimed to be from the American Express card department. She offered him an attractive deal: to upgrade his existing SBI credit card to an Amex card with a high credit limit of Rs 4.5 lakh and lifetime free benefits, all for a nominal fee of just Rs 170.
Intrigued by the offer, Kumar agreed. The fraudster then sent him a link via WhatsApp. After he clicked on the link and completed the process, Rs 170 was deducted from his account, seemingly as the promised fee. This initial, small transaction was likely a tactic to build a false sense of legitimacy.
The Second Trap and Major Financial Loss
The plot thickened on November 4, when Kumar received another call. This time, the caller instructed him to clear his existing SBI credit card dues to facilitate the enhancement of his credit limit. Trusting the process, he clicked on a second link that was sent to him.
This action proved catastrophic. His phone was effectively hacked, giving the cyber criminals access to his financial data. Shortly after, two unauthorized transactions were made from his credit card: one for Rs 1.53 lakh and another for Rs 19,562. The cumulative loss amounted to Rs 1.7 lakh.
Police Action and a Parallel Cyber Crime Case
Following the incident, Pankaj Kumar approached the authorities. The UT cyber cell has registered a case against unknown persons and has initiated a detailed probe to track down the perpetrators behind this elaborate scam.
In a related development showcasing the rampant nature of such crimes, the cyber cell also made an arrest in a separate high-value scam. A 24-year-old man from Ludhiana, Yadunandan Sharma, was arrested in connection with a Rs 52 lakh 'digital arrest' scam that targeted a senior citizen from Sector 45.
In that case, the victim lodged a complaint on October 27, stating that he was contacted via WhatsApp by fraudsters posing first as TRAI officials and then as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers. They falsely claimed his mobile number was linked to money laundering, threatened him with arrest, and even showed fake documents and court scenes to appear authentic. Under immense psychological pressure, the senior citizen transferred Rs 52 lakh to multiple bank accounts as instructed. Sharma was produced in court and sent to 14-day judicial custody.
Staying Vigilant in the Digital Age
These back-to-back incidents serve as a stark reminder for all digital users. Cyber criminals are constantly devising new methods to exploit trust and fear. Authorities advise citizens to:
- Never click on unsolicited links received via WhatsApp, SMS, or email, especially those related to financial offers.
- Verify directly with your bank through official customer care numbers or branch visits for any upgrade or offer.
- Be suspicious of calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from government agencies or financial institutions demanding immediate payment or action.
- Remember that legitimate organizations like banks or government bodies will never ask for sensitive details or payments through unofficial WhatsApp links.
The Chandigarh Police's cyber cell continues its investigation into the Rs 1.7 lakh credit card scam, urging the public to report any similar fraudulent attempts immediately.
