A Mumbai resident, identified as a doctor from Vikhroli, fell victim to an online fraud scheme while attempting to track her awaited online order, resulting in a loss of Rs 68,000. The incident, reported by the Indian Express, unfolded differently from the commonly known courier scams where victims are coerced by fake law enforcement officials regarding confiscated packages at the airport. In this case, the unsuspecting victim, eager to trace her overdue parcel, inadvertently handed over her money in a matter of seconds.
The ordeal began when the doctor, facing a delayed delivery, sought to contact the responsible delivery agent, Blue Dart.
Lacking the agent’s official contact, she resorted to an online search, stumbling upon a number on Google. Dialing the number with the intention of simply tracking her order, she was instead greeted by an individual who instructed her to download a purported tracking app. To her dismay, after following the instructions and installing the app, she discovered a staggering debit of Rs 68,000 from her bank account.
The modus operandi of the scam became evident upon investigation. The victim, unknowingly engaging in a phishing scam, called a fraudulent number posing as the legitimate Blue Dart contact.
Exploiting the victim’s trust, the scammer then persuaded her to download an application under the guise of resolving the delivery issue. Unbeknownst to her, the app was designed to extract sensitive information, including banking details. The scammer successfully gained access to her banking information, swiftly siphoning off Rs 68,000 from her account.
Law enforcement authorities underscored the alarming trend of scammers impersonating courier companies, cautioning the public against contacting numbers found online. A police officer revealed that these scammers seemingly have access to a database of courier companies, enabling them to manipulate contact information.
Instances have been reported where fraudsters replace genuine contact numbers with their fraudulent counterparts, resulting in financial losses for unsuspecting individuals who fall prey to these deceptive tactics. The officer emphasized the need for heightened awareness and vigilance to curb such fraudulent
activities.
