What appeared to be a harmless wedding invitation turned into a financial nightmare for a government employee in Hingoli. According to reports, the victim received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number inviting him to a wedding scheduled for August 30, 2025. The message looked routine, with a greeting and a file attachment resembling a PDF wedding card.
The employee, unaware of the danger, downloaded the file. Within moments, his phone was compromised. Cybercriminals gained control and siphoned off ₹1.9 lakh from his bank account, leaving him stunned and helpless.
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The Anatomy of the Scam
Police and cyber experts later confirmed that the file attached to the invitation was not a PDF at all but an APK file — essentially an Android application designed to install malware. Once downloaded, it gave hackers remote access to the victim’s phone.
Through this access, fraudsters captured sensitive data and banking credentials. With OTPs, passwords, and account details compromised, the attackers swiftly transferred money from the victim’s account.
Officials stressed that even a single wrong click on such disguised files can hand over complete access of a phone to criminals. The Hingoli police station and the district cyber cell have registered a case against an unidentified individual.
A Pattern of Deception
This case is not an isolated incident. Maharashtra police have recorded several such scams in recent months. In a similar fraud earlier, gangs duped job-seekers by promising employment and extracting their bank details, ATM cards, and SIM cards. Victims believed they were applying for jobs but later discovered that their accounts were being used for illegal transactions.
Cyber officials point out that criminals are constantly innovating — from fake OTP requests to fraudulent job offers, and now wedding invitations. The goal remains the same: lure victims into downloading malicious files or sharing sensitive information.
Warnings and Lessons
The Hingoli case underscores the urgent need for awareness among digital users. Police have urged citizens to:
- Avoid downloading files from unknown numbers on WhatsApp.
- Check if attachments are disguised APK files instead of PDFs.
- Report suspicious messages to the cyber cell immediately.
Authorities caution that wedding invitation scams prey on human trust. Weddings are personal and emotional occasions, making recipients more likely to engage with the message without skepticism.
Experts add that with rising smartphone usage, India’s cybercriminal networks are blending social engineering with technical exploits, making vigilance the only effective defense.