Pune Police Constable Falls Victim to QR Code Scam, Loses Rs 2.3 Lakh at Bakery
Pune: Former Sarpanch Accused of ₹12 Crore Scam In Mulshi’s Ambavane Village, Inquiry Demanded
Online scams are becoming a major problem in India, with many individuals falling victim to the deceptive tactics of scammers almost every day. Despite warnings from cyber cells and police to be vigilant, a police constable from Pune recently became a victim himself, losing Rs 2.3 lakh in a QR code scam.
The constable, who resides in Saswad near Pune, reported his experience to the Pune rural police. As per reports, the scam started when he tried to pay a bill at a bakery and was asked to scan a QR code for the transaction. Shortly after scanning, he noticed an unauthorized debit of Rs 18,755 from his savings account. Disturbed by this unexpected transaction, he checked his other bank accounts and was shocked to find additional unauthorized withdrawals, including Rs 12,250 from his salary account, which left him with just Rs 50.
The situation became more serious when the constable received a one-time password (OTP) notification for a transaction of Rs 1.9 lakh from his gold loan account. Even though he did not share the OTP, the transaction went through successfully. In addition, the fraudsters tried to carry out two transactions totaling Rs 14,000 using his credit card information. Fortunately, the constable acted swiftly to freeze his bank accounts and credit card, which helped prevent further losses.
According to the report, the investigation is still ongoing, and the police indicated that the victim lost money because the fraudsters accessed the constable’s mobile phone and bank accounts via a malicious APK file. It is believed that the constable may have inadvertently clicked on a harmful link sent by the fraudsters, allowing them to install malware or spyware on his device. This malware likely enabled the criminals to capture sensitive information, such as login credentials and OTPs, allowing them to bypass security measures and access multiple accounts.
The police are continuing to look into whether the QR code was altered to trick the constable into downloading the APK file or if the scammers used other misleading methods.
As digital payments become more prevalent, it’s essential to protect yourself from such scams. Here are some safety tips:
Verify QR codes: When making payments through a QR code, make sure the recipient is reliable and avoid scanning codes from untrustworthy or questionable sources.
Check the recipient’s name: Always confirm the name of the recipient when you scan a QR code.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Do not click on links that you receive via text messages, emails, or social media unless you are certain they are safe. These links may lead to phishing websites or install harmful software on your device.
Use official and verified apps: Always utilize official and verified applications for digital transactions. Download apps only from reputable platforms like Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
This incident serves as a reminder of the need to be cautious with digital payments, especially when it involves scanning QR codes, as scammers are using more sophisticated methods to trick individuals.
