A 37-year-old security guard working for a private company in Hinjewadi, Pune, fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing Rs 3.98 lakh on May 8. The incident came to light after he registered a complaint with the Hinjewadi police on Tuesday.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to a police officer, the complainant received a message on his cellphone titled 'RTO Challan' containing an '.APK' file. Upon clicking the file, remote-access software was automatically installed on his device. The victim had already entered his bank details in a form that appeared on the screen, unknowingly providing cybercrooks with access to his financial information.
Remote Control and Fund Theft
The installed software allowed the fraudsters to take control of the security guard's cellphone. He subsequently received OTPs on his phone, which were intercepted by the criminals. Within minutes, Rs 3.98 lakh was siphoned off from his bank accounts through two separate transactions.
Police Investigation Underway
The Hinjewadi police have initiated an investigation and sought transaction details from the victim's bank. An officer stated, 'We have requested the bank to provide the transaction records. Our investigations are ongoing.' The police are also analyzing the malicious APK file to trace the perpetrators.
Precautionary Measures for Citizens
Authorities urge citizens to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited messages with APK files or links. They advise not to click on such files and to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from government agencies like the RTO. Never share bank details or OTPs with unknown sources.
