Hyderabad:
A shocking incident took place in Hyderabad where an accounts officer was asked to send Rs 1.95 crore to a specific account via WhatsApp. The message appeared to be from the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, requesting an advance payment for a new project. Trusting the source, the officer transferred the money, only to realize later that it was a scam.
The message seemed to be from the MD’s WhatsApp account, with his photo displayed, but it was actually a fraudster who tricked the officer into transferring a huge sum of money. Luckily, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau intervened and managed to recover the entire amount.
The transfer was completed at 1.02 pm, and the real Managing Director received a bank notification soon after. Concerned, he contacted the accounts officer and learned about the fraudulent transaction. The company immediately filed a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
The NCRP took swift action to confirm the transaction and track down the money. With the cooperation of the company, MD, and the bank’s nodal officers, the entire Rs 1.95 crore was eventually recovered. Fortunately, the criminals had not withdrawn any of the cash.
This incident is just one of many cybercrimes targeting individuals and companies. The government has issued repeated warnings to be cautious of fake messages and calls that can lead to financial losses.
In a similar incident last week in Hyderabad, fraudsters stole Rs 1 crore from a woman under the guise of investing in the stock market through mobile apps. Even celebrities are not immune, as seen when social media influencer Akanksha Thakral lost Rs 1.1 lakh in a phone call scam.
Last year, the national Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) identified and blocked nearly 60,000 WhatsApp accounts used for fraud. Over 9.94 lakh complaints were filed with the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, resulting in savings of over Rs 3,431 crore.
To combat cybercrime, I4C has set up a dedicated helpline (1930) for citizens who fall victim to cybercriminals. Authorities in Telangana have also issued guidelines for the public to follow:
- Be cautious of money transfer requests via WhatsApp, email, or phone calls, even if they seem to be from senior executives.
- Always verify payment requests through formal channels before making transactions.
- If you suspect fraud, report it immediately via the 1930 helpline or www.cybercrime.gov.in to increase the chances of recovering your money.
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