In a startling incident that highlights the evolving landscape of both cybercrime and cyber-defense, a 72-year-old retired engineer from Bengaluru narrowly escaped losing a significant sum of money to online scammers, with an unlikely ally coming to his rescue: the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT.
The Elaborate Online Trap
The victim, identified as S. R. Sridhar, a resident of the upscale Sadashivanagar area, first encountered the fraud on April 19. He was searching online for a service to book train tickets when he clicked on a sponsored link that led him to a fraudulent website mimicking the official IRCTC portal.
After entering his details, he received a call from a person claiming to be an IRCTC executive. This individual, employing sophisticated social engineering tactics, convinced Sridhar to download a remote access application called AnyDesk on his phone. Under the guise of helping him complete the booking and process a refund, the fraudster gained complete control over Sridhar's device.
Within minutes, the cybercriminal orchestrated an unauthorized transfer of Rs 40,000 from Sridhar's bank account. The transaction was cleverly masked as a "fund collection" activity, making it less immediately suspicious in the bank's statement.
ChatGPT Steps In as the Unlikely Guardian
When the fraudster called back, demanding more money and instructing Sridhar to authorize additional transactions, the retiree grew deeply suspicious. Instead of complying, he turned to technology for a second opinion. He opened the ChatGPT application and meticulously detailed the entire sequence of events—from the initial website visit to the money transfer and the subsequent demands.
The AI's response was swift and unequivocal. ChatGPT identified the scenario as a classic case of cyber fraud. It explicitly warned Sridhar that he was dealing with scammers who had used remote access software to steal his money. The chatbot advised him to immediately disconnect his device from the internet, uninstall the remote access app, contact his bank to block his account, and file a formal complaint with the police.
"The clear, point-by-point analysis from ChatGPT confirmed my fears," Sridhar later stated. "It was the reassurance I needed to stop the conversation with the criminal and take corrective action."
Aftermath and a Warning to the Public
Heeding the AI's advice, Sridhar immediately approached the Cubbon Park police station and filed a formal complaint. The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. While the prospects of recovering the lost Rs 40,000 are uncertain, the intervention of ChatGPT undoubtedly prevented further financial losses that could have run into lakhs of rupees.
This incident underscores several critical points for the digital age. First, it reveals the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals who target individuals of all ages with believable ruses. Second, and more remarkably, it showcases how generative AI tools like ChatGPT are emerging as valuable resources for real-time verification and crisis guidance.
Cybersecurity experts note that while AI can be a helpful tool for awareness, it is not a substitute for basic digital hygiene. They advise the public, especially seniors, to:
- Never download unknown remote access applications like AnyDesk or TeamViewer at the request of an unsolicited caller.
- Always verify the authenticity of websites, especially when dealing with financial transactions, by checking the URL and looking for security certificates.
- Immediately contact their bank and the police if they suspect any fraudulent activity on their accounts.
The Bengaluru retiree's story is a cautionary tale of modern fraud but also a pioneering example of how artificial intelligence is stepping out of the realm of theory and into practical, everyday life—sometimes as a last line of defense against the very dangers technology can enable.
