A 35-year-old operations manager in Ahmedabad allegedly lost ₹5.9 lakh after opening a fraudulent transport application sent through WhatsApp. Two unauthorised purchases were made using his credit card, prompting a police complaint over suspected access to his phone and diversion of incoming calls.
How Did the Fraud Begin?
The complainant received an Android installation file named “MParivahan” on WhatsApp during the first week of May. Believing it was a genuine transport-related application, he opened the file.
He later suspected that the file had allowed fraudsters to access his phone and redirect incoming calls to another number. The exact method used to compromise the device has not been established in the complaint.
How Was the Credit Card Used?
Several days later, the man checked his email and discovered bank alerts for two unauthorised credit card transactions totalling ₹5.9 lakh.
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The purchases had been processed through an online shopping platform where his credit card details were already saved. When he examined the shopping account, he found two invoices for mobile phones ordered through Flipkart Minutes.
Around the same period, one-time password messages from several companies began reaching his phone. He suspected that the call diversion had allowed the fraudsters to intercept authentication codes, although the precise sequence of events remains under examination.
What Action Did the Victim Take?
After discovering the transactions, the complainant contacted his bank and blocked the affected credit card. As an additional precaution, he blocked credit cards linked to his other bank accounts.
He subsequently formatted his phone to remove the suspected malicious application. He also reported the incident through the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, and lodged a written complaint with the cybercrime police station. His complaint sought police action against those responsible for the suspected fraud.
The420 Insight: What Should Users Know?
The incident highlights the risks of opening application files received through messages, particularly when payment details are stored on shopping platforms. Users should obtain transport applications from official sources and promptly alert their bank if unfamiliar transactions or suspicious phone activity appear.
