Cyber Crime
How a Simple Act of Returning Spoiled Milk Turned into a Rs 77,000 Nightmare for One Elderly Woman!
65-year-old loses Rs 77,000 in milk refund scam. Discover the tactics used and how to avoid falling victim to online fraud
BENGALURU: A 65-year-old resident of Bengaluru, identified as Sophia (name changed), fell victim to a cyber scam on March 18th, 2024, while attempting to return spoiled milk purchased online. The incident highlights the growing threat of online fraud targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Sophia, a regular customer of an online grocery platform, discovered the milk she received was spoiled. Wanting to return it and receive a refund, she searched online for the platform’s customer care number. Unfortunately, the number she found connected her to the scammer.
Posing as a customer service representative, the fraudster convinced Sophia she wouldn’t need to return the milk and could receive a refund electronically. He then instructed her to follow a series of steps, including entering her UPI PIN, which ultimately led to the theft of Rs 77,000 from her bank account.
Unaware of the scammer’s true intentions, Sophia followed the instructions, entering her UPI PIN on a fraudulent page. This allowed the culprit to siphon off the money before disconnecting the call.
Realizing she had been scammed, Sophia promptly contacted the cyber helpline (1930) and filed a police complaint at the Byatarayanapura police station.
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“We have registered a case under the Information Technology Act,” said a senior police officer. “Efforts are underway to freeze the amount in the fraudster’s account.”
Not an Isolated Case
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of online vigilance. In a similar case reported on February 2nd, cybercriminals tricked a retired bank manager into revealing his UPI PIN, leading to a loss of Rs 98,868.
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Staying Safe Online
- Never share your UPI PIN with anyone. Legitimate customer service representatives will never ask for your PIN.
- Double-check customer care contact information. Don’t rely on search engine results; visit the official website of the company you’re dealing with to find verified contact details.
- Be wary of unsolicited calls or messages. Don’t follow instructions from unknown sources, especially those involving financial transactions.
- Report suspicious activity immediately. If you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact the cyber helpline (1930) and file a police complaint.
By following these simple precautions, you can help protect yourself from falling prey to online scams.