Bengaluru: Man Loses Rs. 2.8 Crore After Winning New Phone
A Bengaluru man lost ?2.8 crore in a scam after receiving a smartphone with pre-installed malware that stole his banking details.
In a shocking incident, a tech professional from Bengaluru, identified as Kishore Kumar (name changed), lost ?2.8 crore after falling victim to a cyber scam involving a new smartphone.
The scam started on 27th November 2024 when Kishore received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller, claiming to be Rohit Jain, a representative from Kishore’s bank, told him that a credit card had been issued in his name and needed activation. To do so, the caller said that Kishore's phone number needed to be updated with an Airtel-authorised number.
To make the offer seem more attractive, the scammer told Kishore that he would receive a new smartphone and SIM card as part of the process. Trusting the call to be genuine, Kishore agreed.
On 1st December 2024, he received a package containing a Redmi smartphone worth Rs 10,000 and followed the caller’s instructions by inserting the new SIM card into the phone and activating it.
However, soon after setting up the phone, Kishore stopped receiving important bank notifications. On 5th December, he visited his bank and was shocked to find that his savings and fixed deposits worth ?2.8 crore had been withdrawn and spent.
Experts believe that the phone had pre-installed malware that allowed the scammers to access his banking information. Once Kishore entered his details into the phone, the malware likely copied his OTPs, passwords, and other sensitive information, enabling the criminals to transfer the money without his knowledge.
Kishore immediately filed a complaint with the police, who are now investigating the case under the IT Act. Police confirmed that the scammers had used the phone to clone Kishore’s banking information, change his registered mobile number, and access his accounts.
This case has raised concerns about the growing use of pre-configured phones to steal money. Criminals are now using these phones to forward SMS and OTPs to themselves, bypassing security checks and draining victims’ bank accounts.
To protect yourself from such scams, experts advise the following precautions:
- Don’t trust unexpected offers: Banks never offer free phones or SIM cards to activate credit cards. Always verify through official channels.
- Avoid sharing personal information: Never share your banking details or OTPs with unknown callers, even if they claim to be from a bank.
- Be cautious with WhatsApp calls: Banks usually communicate through official numbers, not messaging apps.
- Check for suspicious devices: If you receive an unexpected electronic device, avoid using it as it may contain malware.
- Report suspicious activity immediately: If you suspect fraud, report it to the police and the cybercrime cell.
Authorities are urging people to be extra cautious and verify any such offers before taking action.
