Mumbai Sees 14 Cyber Fraud Cases in a Day as Online Scams Target People Across Professions
Mumbai: In a worrying reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime, Bhoiwada Police registered 14 separate cyber fraud cases in a single day, with victims ranging from homemakers and doctors to government employees, businessmen, nurses, and private sector professionals.
Investigators said fraudsters used a variety of tricks, including fake customer care numbers, malicious APK files, bogus KYC update requests, fake online service providers, and impersonation scams, to steal money from unsuspecting victims.
One of the victims was a woman who searched online for Blinkit customer care after her order failed to arrive. She unknowingly contacted a fake helpline, where scammers claimed there was an issue with her delivery address. They later sent her an APK file via WhatsApp, which she installed. Soon after, ₹1 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn from her Bank of India and Union Bank accounts.
In another incident, a 27-year-old homemaker lost ₹95,000 while trying to sell old furniture online. The accused allegedly convinced her to share her banking details under the pretext of transferring the payment.
A nurse working at KEM Hospital was cheated of ₹95,000 after receiving a fake message asking her to reply “OK” to update her Pay login credentials.
A cloth merchant also became a victim after clicking on a fraudulent Google advertisement while searching for a service online. He later discovered ₹93,000 had been debited from his account without his authorisation.
Cybercriminals also targeted employees of Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation. One employee lost ₹2 lakh, while another reported an unauthorised withdrawal of ₹1.98 lakh after receiving suspicious messages.
In another major case, a 43-year-old doctor from a private hospital in Colaba lost ₹4.95 lakh after opening a malicious APK file sent by fraudsters.
A stenographer employed at the City Civil Court was duped of ₹2.84 lakh after opening a fraudulent message that appeared to be from Mahanagar Gas.
Similarly, an accountant working with Bharat Petroleum lost ₹1.12 lakh after searching online for an air conditioner repair technician. The fraudster posed as a genuine service provider and tricked him into completing a fake KYC verification.
Another woman lost ₹60,000 after someone impersonating a Mahanagar Gas representative sent her a fraudulent link.
In a separate incident, a woman searching online for a cardiologist’s contact number was contacted by a fraudster pretending to be the doctor’s assistant. She was asked to pay ₹10 to book an appointment and install an APK file. After doing so, she lost ₹68,000 from her bank account.
Police said these incidents highlight how cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting fake customer care numbers, deceptive Google advertisements, malicious APK files, and impersonation tactics to gain remote access to victims’ mobile phones and banking applications.
Mumbai Police have advised citizens to remain vigilant while searching for customer care numbers or service providers online. People have been urged to verify contact details only through official websites or apps, avoid downloading APK files shared through WhatsApp or SMS, and never disclose OTPs, PINs, passwords, or banking credentials to anyone.
Authorities also reminded the public that anyone who suspects they have been targeted by cyber fraud should immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to improve the chances of recovering lost funds
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets
