A man from Shahganj, Agra, became the latest victim of a cyber fraud scheme after downloading a fake doctor appointment application. The victim, Brajesh Kumar, was seeking a consultation with a neurologist for his seven-year-old son whose treatment was already underway.
While searching online, he found a contact number on a medical website. When he called, an unknown person reached out to him via WhatsApp, claiming to assist with a doctor’s appointment and sent him a download link for an APK file named Doctor Appointment App.
Key Highlights
- Fraudsters posed as doctor appointment service providers
- Victim was searching online for a neurologist for his ill son
- Mobile phone hacked after downloading fake APK file
- ₹50,000 withdrawn from victim’s bank account; police begin probe
Phone Hacked After Downloading App
The caller instructed Brajesh to install the application and fill in his personal details, saying a small online payment of ₹5 was required to confirm the appointment. Moments after making the payment, Brajesh’s phone was hacked, and soon after, ₹50,000 was siphoned from his bank account.
The fraudulent app granted the scammer remote access to his phone, enabling unauthorized money transfers without any security alerts.
Fraudsters Exploiting Trusted Platforms
Police officials said cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the trust associated with healthcare platforms to deceive people.
“These gangs use the pretext of doctor appointments or hospital registrations to send infected links that compromise victims’ phones,” a senior officer explained.
In most cases, the malware steals sensitive data or banking credentials, leading to unauthorized withdrawals within minutes.
Police Investigation Underway
Inspector Viresh Pal Giri of Shahganj Police Station confirmed that a case has been registered based on Brajesh Kumar’s complaint.
The cyber unit is tracing the digital footprint of the fake website and phone numbers used in the scam. Investigators are also working with the bank to follow the transaction trail and identify the accounts where the stolen money was transferred.
Authorities Advise Caution
Cyber experts have urged citizens to verify the contact details of doctors and hospitals only through official websites or verified medical portals.
People are advised not to download unknown APK files or make small “test payments” when asked by unverified contacts.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that digital convenience must always be paired with digital vigilance.
