Rajkot Trader Loses Over Rs 10.87 Lakh in Sophisticated WhatsApp Cyberfraud Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the growing threat of digital crime, a 62-year-old trader from Rajkot, Sandeep Gandhi, fell victim to a cyberfraud scheme that resulted in a staggering loss of Rs 10.87 lakh. The fraud was perpetrated through a malicious file on WhatsApp, cleverly disguised as an official RTO traffic challan, underscoring the cunning tactics employed by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
Details of the Cyberfraud Incident
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Gandhi at the Rajkot City Cyber Crime police station, the ordeal began on December 26 when he received a file named "RTO TRAFFIC CHALLAN" from an unfamiliar WhatsApp number. Believing it to be a legitimate challan for his vehicle, Gandhi downloaded the file, only to find that it failed to open and caused his phone to freeze shortly thereafter.
The true extent of the fraud came to light on January 6, after Gandhi deposited a cheque for Rs 41,000 into his bank account. To his shock, he discovered that his account had been completely emptied. An investigation revealed that four unauthorized transactions had drained more than Rs 10.87 lakh, with the funds transferred to several unknown accounts. Gandhi promptly contacted the Cyber Crime helpline to report the incident, leading to the filing of a complaint against the unknown WhatsApp number holder under the Information and Technology Act.
Police Warning on Rising Cyberfraud Trends
Police sources have issued a stern warning, noting that cyberfraud gangs are increasingly using apps and files labeled as "RTO Challan" to deceive people. These malicious downloads are designed to gain unauthorized access to victims' devices, harvest sensitive bank details, and subsequently steal funds. This case serves as a critical reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited files or messages, especially those claiming to be from official authorities.
The Rajkot Cyber Crime unit is actively investigating the matter, urging citizens to verify the authenticity of such communications and report any suspicious activity immediately to prevent further financial losses.
