How a Juhu Resident Lost Rs 4.4L to Cyber Fraud While Booking Dubai Air Tickets

In a distressing incident, a senior citizen from Juhu recently fell victim to Cyber Fraud while attempting to book air tickets for a trip to Dubai. Gita Shenoy, a 64-year-old woman, found herself swindled of Rs 4.4 lakh when she unknowingly interacted with fraudsters who manipulated the phone number associated with the popular ticket booking platform, Skyscanner.

The Deceptive Scheme

1. Phony Numbers: The fraudsters replaced the legitimate contact number on the Skyscanner website with their own, leading unsuspecting victims astray.
2. Impersonation Tactics: Gita called the provided number and spoke to someone claiming to be from Skyscanner. The imposter then instructed her to download a remote-access app named Any Desk.
3. Unauthorized Access: Any Desk, once installed, granted the fraudster control over Gita’s mobile phone, allowing them to carry out the illicit transaction.

Unmasking the Con of Cyber Fraud

After transferring the substantial amount from Gita’s bank account, the fraudster became unresponsive to further calls, leaving her in disbelief and financial distress. Gita promptly reported the incident to the Juhu police, who registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation.

Police Insights

1. Modus Operandi: The police shed light on the cybercriminals‘ method, emphasizing the misuse of Google’s option to change a mobile number associated with a place online.
2. Ongoing Investigation: To trace the perpetrators, the police are actively pursuing leads related to the bank accounts involved in the fraudulent transfer.

Preventive Measures Against Cyber Fraud

1. Verify Contacts: Always double-check contact details from official sources before making any calls or transactions.
2. Remote-Access Apps: Be cautious when asked to download remote-access apps. Legitimate companies rarely require such measures.
3. Secure Transactions: Ensure your financial transactions are conducted through secure and verified channels.
4. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on prevalent cyber fraud schemes to recognize potential threats.

Remember, vigilance is your best defense against cyber fraud. Stay alert and follow these preventive measures to safeguard your finances and personal information.

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To Learn Cybersecurity/ Ethical Hacking, visit: https://www.cctinternshala.in