Online link and SIM deactivation FRAUD
The advancement in digital technology has benefitted the common man but it has also created the risk of falling prey to cybercrimes. Cybercriminals are targeting the naive and taking the advantage of their lack of safety measures, to dupe them of their hard-earned money. They have devised new ways to commit cybercrimes and one such method is online link and SIM deactivation fraud. Read on to know and be aware about such frauds, preventive steps, online helpline and more…
What is online link and SIM deactivation fraud and its modus operandi?
After a person clicks on a link from an unknown number, the online fraudsters get control over the SIM, deactivate it and take a new SIM with the same phone number, and use the bank and other financial details of the victim stored inside the phone to apply for big loan and siphon off the money. The victim realises s/he has been duped after s/he visits the nearest customer care centre of their telecom operator.
Case study
A manager from Koregaon Park, Pune, working for a private company, lost ₹ 23 lakh after he clicked on a link embedded in a text message. This incident occurred between 6 and 8 December, 2024.
Police inspector from cybercrime police station, Pune, Swapnali Shinde, talking about the fraud said, “The manager received a link in the fraudulent text message on his phone. As soon as he clicked on the link, the cybercriminals gained remote access to his cellphone. They deactivated his SIM card remotely, cutting off his communication through his cellphone with others.”
Shinde added, “They activated another SIM card in the victim’s name and using his mobile banking access and bank credentials and credit card details, the fraudsters secured a loan of `23 lakh. They transferred this money to other accounts duping him.”
A police officer from Koregaon Park police station informed that the victim did not get any calls or messages for two days on his phone. He did not get any messages of loan verification or processing from his bank. After two days, the victim went to the customer care centre of his telecom operator to find the reason for it. Later, after his SIM activation, he realised that he has been duped of ₹23 lakh.
The police are trying to identify the bank accounts to which the fraudulently obtained loan amount of ₹23 lakh was transferred. They are trying to identify the cellphone which was used to access the cloned SIM card and commit the fraud. The people who have lost money in cybercrimes must first call 1930 or lodge a complaint on www.cybercrime.gov.in and then contact the nearest cyber police station for quicker action.
PREVENTIVE STEPS
- Do not click on any link in a text message received from an unknown number
- If your SIM card is not working and are unable to receive messages or calls then immediately contact the nearest customer care centre of your telecom operator to find its reason and resolve the problem