In an unexpected incident, a former Indian Army brigadier fell prey to an internet scam, where he was defrauded of Rs 1.57 lakhs by cybercriminals.. The incident occurred in the bustling city of Mumbai, where the 72-year-old veteran was simply trying to purchase dry fruits through an online grocery shopping application.
In a recent incident In Mumbai’s peaceful Jogeshwari area, a retired army officer downloaded a shopping app from the Google Play Store to purchase dry fruits online, entered his credit card details for a minor transaction, and unexpectedly, he was cheated out of Rs 1.57 lakhs through eight fake transactions.
The Oshiwara police stated that the former Army Officer was deceived into disclosing his credit card information on a fraudulent shopping application. He wanted to buy dry fruits and downloaded what he thought was a safe app from the Google Play store. Unfortunately, the app was a scam, and the man’s credit card was used for eight transactions without his permission.
The police are working hard to catch the person behind the cyber fraud. They have asked the bank to stop any more money from being taken from the Brigadier’s card. The police’s cyber team is also trying to find the scammer’s digital location, also known as an IP address. This incident is a reminder for everyone to be extra careful when downloading apps and entering personal information online, especially in Mumbai where such scams/yber frauds are common.
This shows us that anyone can be tricked online, even people who are careful. It’s important to check if an app is real before using it and to keep an eye on bank accounts. If something goes wrong, it’s good to know that the police are ready to help find the criminals. We all need to learn about staying safe online to protect our money and personal information from cyber frauds.
This sad incident reminds us that the online world can be risky. Scammers are getting better at tricking people, so it’s hard to stay safe. In the last five years, Mumbai has had more than 5,281 cases of credit card fraud. The police have only solved about 7% of these cases. The most they solved in one year was 15.4% in 2023, but in 2022, they only solved 2.4%.
The brigadier’s experience is a cautionary tale for all, emphasizing the importance of staying alert and informed about the potential risks of online transactions and Cyber Frauds. It is crucial for individuals, especially those who are not digital natives, to exercise extreme caution when entering personal and financial information online.
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Tips to stay safe and alert against cyber frauds:
To safeguard against such threats, here are some tips to stay safe and alert against cyber frauds:
- Always verify the authenticity of shopping applications before downloading them.
- Avoid entering credit card details on unsecured websites or applications.
- Monitor bank statements regularly to spot any unauthorized transactions quickly.
- Use strong, unique passwords for different online accounts and change them periodically.
- Be aware of unsolicited calls or messages asking for personal or financial information.
- Consider using virtual keyboards to enter sensitive information to prevent keystroke logging.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2 FA) for an added layer of security.
In conclusion, the digital age has brought convenience to our fingertips, but it has also opened the door to new forms of crime. As we continue to integrate technology into our daily lives, it is imperative to stay vigilant and protect ourselves from cyber threats. By taking proactive measures and educating ourselves about online safety, we can reduce the risk of falling prey to such scams and ensure a secure digital experience for all.
For more information on cybersecurity and how to protect yourself from online scams/ Cyber Frauds, please visit official cyber cell websites The official website for reporting cybercrimes in India is the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal Cyber Crime Portal ( https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/ ). You can visit this portal to file complaints about cyber crimes, especially those against women and children. The portal is an initiative by the Government of India and is managed by law enforcement agencies. For urgent assistance or to report crimes other than cyber crimes, you should contact your local police. The national police helpline number is 112, the national women helpline number is 181, and the Cyber Crime Helpline is 1930.