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Fraudsters sent a WhatsApp message urging him to update his KYC, prompting him to download a malicious file. This gave them remote access to his phone, enabling a Rs 13 lakh withdrawal
The attachment contained malware that allowed the scammers to gain remote access to his device. (News18 Hindi)
In a shocking incident, a 57-year-old senior technical officer from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Pune fell victim to a KYC scam, resulting in a loss of Rs 13 lakh from his bank account.
The fraudsters sent a WhatsApp message instructing him to update his KYC immediately. The message prompted the victim to download a malicious file, which granted the scammers remote access to his smartphone, enabling them to withdraw Rs 13 lakh from his account.
According to the FIR filed at the Yerawada police station, the victim was contacted by a fraudster posing as a bank representative, who informed him that his KYC details were pending. The fraudster then sent an attachment, instructing him to download the file. Believing the message to be legitimate, the senior officer complied.
However, the attachment contained malware that allowed the scammers to gain remote access to his device. Subsequently, the officer received OTPs on his phone related to several transactions but failed to notice them. The scammers successfully carried out unauthorised transactions totalling Rs 12.95 lakh.
Tips To Stay Safe From Cyber Fraud
- Avoid clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources, particularly those claiming urgency.
- Verify the authenticity of messages or emails directly with your bank before taking any action.
- Always pay attention to one-time passwords (OTPs) received, even if you are not actively transacting.
- Install reliable antivirus software to detect and block malicious applications.