An accounts officer in Hyderabad nearly lost Rs 1.95 crore due to a fraudulent WhatsApp message impersonating the company’s Managing Director. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau intervened and successfully recovered the funds before they could be withdrawn by the criminals. This incident serves as a warning about the rising incidence of cyber fraud affecting individuals and businesses alike.
In a recent incident in Hyderabad, an accounts officer received a WhatsApp message seemingly from the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, requesting a transfer of Rs 1.95 crore for an advance payment on a project. The message appeared authentic, prompting the transfer of funds. However, it was later revealed to be a fraudulent scheme executed by a cybercriminal posing as the Managing Director.
Upon the actual Managing Director receiving a bank alert about the transaction, he contacted the accounts officer and confirmed that no such request had been made. In response, the company quickly filed a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), which initiated an investigation. Although initial efforts faced challenges due to missing details, collaboration between the NCRP, the bank, and the company led to the successful recovery of the fraudulently transferred funds before the criminals could access them.
This incident underscores the increasing prevalence of cyber fraud, affecting both individuals and businesses. For instance, just last week in Hyderabad, fraudsters deceived a woman into losing Rs 1 crore under the guise of stock market investment. Additionally, social media influencers have not been immune, as evidenced by Akanksha Thakral’s loss of Rs 1.1 lakh due to a scam involving a fake bank officer.
Statistics released by the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reveal that they have identified and blocked nearly 60,000 fraudulent WhatsApp accounts. Moreover, over 9.94 lakh complaints have been lodged, leading to significant monetary recoveries. To assist victims of cyber fraud, a dedicated helpline, 1930, has been established by the I4C, while Telangana officials have also circulated guidelines advising the public on actions to take in such cases.
Individuals are urged to exercise extreme caution regarding money transfer requests that may come via WhatsApp or other platforms, even if they appear to originate from high-ranking officials. It is vital to verify such requests through direct communication channels before proceeding with any transaction. If fraud is suspected, it is crucial to report it immediately to enhance the chances of recovering lost funds.
The incident highlights the risks associated with cyber fraud and emphasizes the importance of vigilance in financial transactions. With increasing reports of scams, both individuals and companies must adopt precautionary measures and verify requests directly through secure channels. The establishment of dedicated helplines and resources by authorities plays a crucial role in preventing financial losses and aiding victims in recovery efforts.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
