Cyber Crime
Cyber Fraudster Posing Under New DP Scam Dupes Mumbai Firm of Rs 4.4 Crore
Mumbai: A cyber fraudster impersonating the executive director of a renowned engineering and machine manufacturing company swindled Rs 4.4 crore from a senior official through an elaborate WhatsApp scam. Exploiting the director’s business trip, the scammer used a fake WhatsApp display picture (DP) and a new phone number to execute the fraud.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fraud began on January 7 when a company official received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number that displayed the executive director’s photo. The scammer claimed to be using a new number due to “poor internet connectivity” while traveling between New Delhi and Ahmedabad for work. Believing the message to be legitimate, the official saved the number and complied with subsequent financial requests.
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Shortly after, the fraudster asked for Rs 2.6 crore, citing an urgent “business deal” that required an advance payment. The official, convinced it was a genuine directive from the executive director, transferred the amount to the specified bank account. The fraudster even acknowledged receipt, reducing any suspicion.
Over the next few days, two additional requests were made, leading to transfers of Rs 1.8 crore to two different accounts. The scam was uncovered when the official later contacted the real executive director for payment vouchers, only to discover that no such financial requests had been made. Realizing they had been deceived, the company immediately lodged a complaint at the South Region Cyber Crime police station.
The Need for Stronger Cybersecurity Measures:
- This incident highlights the urgent need for organizations to implement cybersecurity awareness training to prevent such social engineering scams.
- Businesses should enforce a maker-checker policy, as recommended by the BDSLCCI Cybersecurity Framework for MSMEs, ensuring that all high-value transactions undergo verification by multiple individuals.
Investigation Underway
A team led by senior police inspector Nandkumar Gopale has launched an investigation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing sophistication of cyber scams and the importance of verifying financial requests through official channels before making transactions.