Beware of downloading files from unknown numbers
The advent of smart mobile phones has created a new breed of criminals called cyber criminals who are taking advantage of the new technology to dupe people. Cyber frauds are increasing as the criminals have minimum risks while committing them as compared to other crimes. Cyber criminals are devising new ways to dupe gullible people. One such new method is the Online PDF file downloading fraud. Read on to know and be aware about such frauds, preventive steps, online helpline and more
Modus Operandi
In this type of fraud, the fraudster sends a message with a PDF file. If a person downloads this PDF file, he/she loses money from his/her bank accounts.
Case Study
A 48-year-old woman residing in Sangvi in Pimpri-Chinchwad city in Pune district, has become a victim of Online PDF file downloading fraud. She lost a total of 45,500 and has lodged a complaint about it with Sangvi police station. This woman lives with her husband, a real estate agent, and children in Sangvi. She runs a household business. On 14 July, 2024, at 2.30 pm, she received a message and PDF file on social media from an unknown mobile number. This file got downloaded after she opened it. Later, she came out of her social media account and got busy in her daily work.
On 16 July, 2024, around 9.30 am, she went to purchase vegetables from the local shops. She purchased vegetables of 100. On paying this amount online from her mobile phone, she received a text message from the bank about her balance amount. She realised that this amount is too less. So she checked her PhonePe and Google Pay(GPay) apps but she did not get any information about any transactions.
The victim then went to her bank’s branch to enquire about how the money was deducted from her account. The branch manager informed her that 36,000 was debited from her savings account and another 9,500 were debited from her current account. As a result, a total of 45,500 was debited from her account on 14 July, 2024, around 2.34 pm.
The victim lodged a police complaint on 17 July, 2024, stating that someone has hacked her mobile and stole 45,500 from her bank accounts when she had opened a PDF file that she had received from an unknown mobile number on 14 July, 2024.
Mahesh Bansode, senior police inspector, Sangvi police station said, “A complaint has been lodged against unknown persons in this regard. The police are investigating this case.”
Advising the people, Bansode said, “People should not open any link or PDF file they receive from unknown mobile numbers to prevent getting duped like this woman.”
One can call and report about any online financial frauds on the national helpline no. 1930. Moreover, you can report any cybercrime on www.cybercrime.gov.in. and follow the instructions on the website to lodge a complaint or track its status.
PREVENTIVE STEPS
- Do not open messages from unknown mobile numbers
- Do not download PDF files from unknown mobile numbers
- Contact cyber police quickly on losing money to cyber frauds