An advocate in North Delhi became the most recent victim of the phone hacking scam after she missed three calls from unidentified numbers and lost money from her bank account. The victim allegedly did not answer the phone or provide an OTP, according to the Delhi Police’s cyber unit. But the accused had access to all of the victim’s personal information, including her bank account information, and could seize her money. The authorities believe that there may have been a SIM-swapping scheme involved.
On October 18, The Indian Express report mentioned something about a high court lawyer and trial. She informed the police that there had been a significant loss from her bank account. The cops did not say how much she lost exactly.
According to an officer, the 35-year-old advocate allegedly missed three calls from a certain phone number. When she called back from an alternate number, the caller said it was a courier delivery call. According to the complaint, the advocate then gave the caller her home address because she thought she would be getting a delivery from a friend. She received two messages from her bank informing her of two withdrawals that she was unaware of, in addition to the package she received. To date, the authorities have not identified the con artists or made any arrests in connection with the matter.
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The police said that throughout the inquiry, they also found an “unusual” browsing history with links and websites that the victim had not visited. The victim was not aware that UPI registrations and SMS connected to phishing had also been discovered. The police confirmed that she also had a call after the money was taken out from someone posing as an IFSO officer, but the advocate did not give him any information either. The Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) Unit is known by its abbreviation, IFSO.
A SIM swapping scam: what is it?
As the name suggests, scammers get a SIM card through SIM swapping. Essentially, it is online identity theft. Once they get access, they demand money from friends and family members of the user. They use online banking, use social media accounts, and do a lot more. Since OTP-based two-factor authentication is being used by many online services and products, including Internet banking, thieves with access to a SIM card might cause a lot of damage. To combat this type of cybercrime, it is crucial to remain vigilant and learn self-defense techniques.
Here are some precautions you may take to avoid falling victim to SIM swap fraud. If your SIM card stops functioning, notify your telecom operator right away. To prevent someone else from using your SIM on their smartphone without a password, you can alternatively use a SIM lock. As a general guideline, you should refrain from sharing any personal information online, particularly if doing so would make it easier to crack a password. Maintaining an eye on your bank accounts and reporting any unauthorized activity is also advised.
