COVID patients beware! Jeedimetla man cheated of Rs 90k by online fraudsters

Hyderabad: A man from Jeedimetla became the latest victim of online phishing when he transferred Rs 90,000 into the account of a cyber fraudster after being assured of financial assistance from the government.

It started with Rs 10,000 and went on till he lost Rs 90,000. Cyber fraudster gave him confidence that the money deducted from the account along with the government assistance of Rs 35,000 would be credited back after the transaction is completed.

The victim's relative, who works in Andhra Pradesh police department in Guntur district, was recently tested positive for COVID. While he was in isolation, he received a call from an unknown number informing him about his health status. The caller also told him that the government is providing Rs 35,000 to the affected persons.

When the patient asked about the process, the caller sensed the opportunity. The caller asked the man to share his PhonePe number. He told him that since he does not have a PhonePe account he will share his relative's number.

The fraudster immediately called up his relative and explained to him about the non-existent financial assistance and sought his PhonePe account details. The victim shared his wife's mobile number. Immediately, he received a message with a link on his wife's mobile phone. As per the caller's instructions, the victim clicked on the link and entered his UPI details and PIN.

Immediately Rs 10,000 were deducted from his wife's account. Gradually Rs 90,000 were deducted from the account. When the caller asked the victim to transfer Rs 10,000 more to claim financial assistance and refund, the victim became suspicious and approached the Cybercrime police. A case has been registered.