Pune Resident Suffers Financial Loss of Rs 11 Lakh After Installing ‘Remote Access’ App
A 40-year-old Pune-based woman has reportedly fallen victim to an online scam where fraudsters managed to steal Rs 11,000 from her bank account. This was after they accessed his bank account by installing remote access software on the pretext of helping him get his online bank statement, as reported by The Times of India.
This case highlights the prevalence of such scams in India. Many similar scams involve scammers masquerading as bank agents or other officials who reach out to individuals through phishing websites. Unfortunately, unsuspecting victims often fall prey to such tactics.
In this particular case, a woman from Shivaji Nagar in Pune, Maharashtra searched her online bank statement. When he didn’t, he turned to the Internet to find customer service numbers that could help him. He didn’t know that he was facing a phishing site with fraudulent numbers. When he contacted them—scammers posing as bank agents—he told him to install remote access software that gave them access to the phone.
“He did an online search for the helpline number and contacted the number. The person who answered the phone promised to help him and asked him to download the remote access software,” Chatushrung police inspector Ankush Chintaman was quoted as saying by TOI.
The woman ended up doing exactly what the fake bank tellers asked her to do: “The woman did the same and even shared her bank account details. The fraudsters then asked her to try to get the statement through the bank’s website,” Inspector Ankush Chintaman added.
The fraudsters who accessed his account stole 11,000 rupees. A criminal report has been filed and the police are investigating the matter.
To avoid getting scammed, don’t install foreign APKs or apps when someone asks you to, and don’t give your OTP to anyone, especially if they claim to be a bank teller. It is also important to ensure that you only dial numbers or send emails to verified sources. Always double-check a website to make sure it is legitimate and belongs to the real entity it claims to represent.
