In a swift and strategic operation, Maharashtra Cyber successfully recovered Rs 1.47 crore lost across five cyber fraud cases within 48 hours. Among these, a Bhiwandi-based travel agency fell victim to a sophisticated “whale phishing” scam, losing Rs 90 lakh before authorities intervened, a senior official confirmed on Friday.
Whale phishing is a high-level cyber fraud technique where scammers impersonate key executives to manipulate employees into transferring large sums or revealing sensitive data.
In this instance, the agency’s accountant received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, allegedly from the firm’s owner, urgently instructing him to transfer Rs 90 lakh for a business deal. Trusting the request, the accountant completed the transaction. However, upon realizing the deception, he swiftly reported the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Maharashtra Cyber acted promptly, coordinating with banks and financial intermediaries to freeze the entire amount before it could be withdrawn or laundered. Their rapid intervention ensured that the stolen funds remained intact, preventing any further losses.
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“In the last 48 hours, our team has successfully resolved five cyber fraud cases, securing a complete recovery of Rs 1.47 crore. The process of reimbursing the rightful owners is already underway,” the official stated.
This swift response highlights Maharashtra Cyber’s growing efficiency in tackling online financial crimes. It also underscores the need for organizations and individuals to remain vigilant against evolving cyber threats, particularly phishing scams that exploit trust and urgency.
Timely reporting and awareness play a crucial role in mitigating digital fraud, reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity measures in today’s increasingly digital economy.