Cyber Criminals Using Remote Access Apps To Steal Your Money

Remote access applications and software which has helped thousands of companies and professionals to work from home during the pandemic is now being misused by the cyber criminals. Fraudsters are gaining access to the victim’s phone by making their target download these apps claiming to complete their KYC and other verification.

A Mumbai based superintendent with Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) was conned by the criminals who tricked him to download a remote access app on his cellphone on the pretext of completing his banking KYC. The moment app was downloaded there were six transactions were made from his account.

The 50-year-old officer told the cops that on August 9, he received a text message from an unknown number that his bank KYC was due which will result in the closing of his account if documents are not submitted. He panicked and immediately dialled the number where the caller asked him to keep his documents like PAN and Aadhar ready and he will also have to download – Quick Support app from the play store. This app gives remote access of the device to anyone if the user has shared the unique ID with them. With remote access, the person can see his messages and perform any activity from the phone.

The caller then asked the superintendent to enter his name and Pan card number into the app. He also gave the officer a link to a website and asked him to enter all his card details in it. As soon he did it several transactions were made and Rs 1.80 lakh was withdrawn from his account.

Cyber experts and law enforcement officers have appealed to people not to download apps like Quick Support or Any Desk that provide remote access to your device, and have also asked people to keep their card details confidential.

The Cyber Coordination Centre (CCC) of the Home Ministry has red-flagged about cyber criminals using COVID-19 apps such as ‘Spymax, Corona Live 1.1’ to steal confidential data. As per the warning, these apps steal confidential data from the receiver’s phone or computer when opened. “Sometimes, cyber criminals are also taking advantage of rising coronavirus concerns for collecting charity,” says Cyber Dost, Cyber-safety and Cybersecurity awareness Twitter handle of CCC maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).