Police said cybercriminals are using fear, urgency and false promises to trap people through mobile phones, WhatsApp calls and fake apps. In multiple cases reported this week, victims together lost more than Rs 42 lakh.
In one incident, a Chikhali resident lost Rs 1.58 lakh after receiving a fake message claiming that an unpaid MNGL gas bill of Rs 12 would lead to gas disconnection.
The fraudsters allegedly sent an APK file named “BIN MNGL Bill Update” and asked the victim to install it. After entering credit card details to make the small payment, the victim’s phone was reportedly hacked. The accused later withdrew Rs 1.58 lakh through multiple transactions using the victim’s South Indian Bank credit card.
In another case from Hinjawadi, a man lost Rs 3.98 lakh after fraudsters tricked him into downloading a fake RTO challan APK file.
Police said the victim believed he had a pending traffic fine and downloaded the file sent to his phone. Soon after, he received an OTP and money was withdrawn from his bank account.
Officials said both frauds followed a similar method where victims unknowingly gave cybercriminals access to their phones, banking apps and OTPs through malicious APK files.
Another victim from Chinchwad lost Rs 6.87 lakh after fraudsters pretended to be customer care executives and bank officials.
The woman had mistakenly transferred money to a wrong account and searched online for customer support. Fraudsters contacted her and convinced her to join a WhatsApp video call. During the call, they allegedly hacked her phone and asked for OTP details, leading to unauthorised withdrawals from her ICICI and HDFC bank accounts.
In Bavdhan, a resident was cheated of Rs 28.26 lakh in a fake investment scam promising returns between five and 20 per cent.
Police said the accused contacted the victim earlier this year and slowly gained trust by claiming to offer profitable stock market investments. The victim invested money over several weeks, but neither the promised returns nor the original amount was returned.
Bavdhan police have registered a case against two women in connection with the fraud.
In another cyber crime case from Hinjawadi, fraudsters allegedly stole a resident’s credit card details and used them to buy BookMyShow gift cards worth Rs 2 lakh through online transactions.
Police officials said most recent cyber frauds involve criminals pretending to be gas agencies, banks, customer care executives, investment advisers or government officials.
Cyber experts have advised people not to share OTPs, avoid clicking unknown payment links and never install apps received through SMS or WhatsApp messages.
Police have also asked citizens to verify payment requests directly through official company websites or customer care numbers before making any transaction. Investigations in all the cases are currently underway.
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I’m Priya Agarwal, and I write about everything related to Hinjewadi! From the latest news and events to hidden spots and local businesses, my articles are all about helping you explore and enjoy this vibrant area. Whether you live here or are just visiting, I aim to bring you useful, interesting, and up-to-date information about Hinjewadi. Stay tuned for more!
