Trick 1- Phishing via SMS (Smishing)
- Fraudsters send fake SMS messages claiming to be from banks or financial institutions.
- Messages create urgency by warning users about KYC updates to avoid account suspension.
- Victims click on fraudulent links and enter sensitive details, leading to financial fraud.
1. Senior Citizen Duped in Mumbai (2024)
Steps of the Fraud:
- Unsolicited SMS Notification:
- A 73-year-old woman received a text message claiming to be from her bank, stating that her KYC details needed immediate updating to prevent account suspension.
- Engagement with Fraudster:
- Concerned about her account, she called the provided number and was instructed by the impersonator to share personal banking information to complete the KYC update.
- Unauthorized Transactions:
- Shortly after sharing her details, ₹2 lakh was withdrawn from her account without her authorization.
- Realization and Reporting:
- Upon noticing the unauthorized transaction, she reported the incident to the bank and local authorities.