Title: Man Loses ₹2 Lakh via Wedding Invite on WhatsApp, Explains How
The popular messaging app, WhatsApp, has once again fallen victim to a clever scam. A Maharashtra-based government employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently lost nearly ₹2 lakh after he opened a wedding invite that was sent to him on WhatsApp. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being cautious when receiving unsolicited messages, especially those that contain attachments.
According to the victim, the message read, “Shadi mein zarur aye…Love is…master key that opens gate of happiness.” The message included a supposed PDF, but it was actually an APK file disguised as a wedding card. The file was designed to hack into the user’s phone and steal sensitive data, including financial information.
The victim, who is in his mid-30s, received the message on his WhatsApp account. He was initially skeptical, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to open the attachment. As soon as he did, his phone began to act strangely, and he noticed that his phone’s battery was draining rapidly.
The victim immediately realized that something was amiss and quickly disconnected his phone from the internet. He then informed his bank and the authorities about the incident. An investigation was launched, and it was discovered that the APK file had installed a malware on the victim’s phone, which allowed the scammers to access his financial information.
The victim’s loss was substantial, with the scammers managing to siphon off nearly ₹2 lakh from his account. The incident has left him shaken and embarrassed, and he is now urging others to be more cautious when receiving unsolicited messages.
“This is a wake-up call for all of us,” the victim said in an interview. “We need to be more vigilant and not click on any attachments or links without verifying their authenticity. It’s easy to fall prey to these scams, but we need to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions.”
The incident highlights the need for increased awareness about online scams and the importance of being cautious when using the internet. It also emphasizes the need for WhatsApp to take concrete steps to prevent such scams from happening in the future.
WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, has been facing criticism for its lack of security features. The app has been breached several times in the past, and this incident is just another example of how vulnerable it is to hacking.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also taken notice of the incident and has urged WhatsApp to take immediate action to prevent such scams. “WhatsApp needs to take concrete steps to prevent such scams from happening in the future,” said Priyank Kharge, the Chairperson of NCPCR.
In response to the incident, WhatsApp has issued a statement saying that it is taking the issue seriously and is working to prevent such scams from happening in the future. “We take the security and privacy of our users very seriously and are constantly working to improve our security features,” said a WhatsApp spokesperson.
The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of being cautious when using the internet. It is essential to verify the authenticity of any messages or attachments before opening them, and to be aware of the risks associated with online scams.
As the victim’s experience has shown, even the most cautious individuals can fall prey to these scams. It is essential to be aware of the signs of a potential scam and to take immediate action if you suspect that you have been targeted.
In conclusion, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being cautious when using the internet, especially when receiving unsolicited messages. It is essential to verify the authenticity of any messages or attachments before opening them, and to be aware of the risks associated with online scams.
News Source:
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shaadi-me-zarur-aye-government-employee-falls-to-wedding-invite-scam-9144410/amp/1
