Sector 35 resident loses ₹1.99 lakh via a link sent through SMS.

Sector 35 resident loses ₹1.99 lakh via a link sent through SMS, latest addition to a rapidly increasing list of online scams in Tricity

As per the victim, Bhavneet Singh Bhalla, he received an SMS claiming the suspension of his bank account and he needed to update his PAN card details by clicking on a link. As soon as he clicked on the link he got a mail which stated that his IPIN has been reset, and in a matter of few seconds a total sum of ₹1.99 lakhs was deducted from his account through four different transactions.

In response to his complaint, the officials have registered a case under the section 120-B and 420, which includes charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating.

One more resident of Sector-35 fell for another such scam, having listed his cycle on OLX, a popular trading platform, a scammer posing as an armyman offered to buy his cycle and requested him to pay the required sum of 4500 through UPI, which he promised to return later and he continued to lure victim Sanjay Tiwari to pay him more and the victim ended up paying him Rupess 64,999 before realising that all along he was being scammed.

A latest report by PUPULSE also highlighted the case of a women, resident of Sector-37, who was duped of around 2 lakh rupees.

Technology has indeed helped us in our day to day life, but the cases of Online Scams are increasing at an alarming rate and needs to be controlled, the Indian population is especially vulnerable when it comes to online scams as the elderly generation which has rapidly shifted to the smartphones are not so aware of the technical loopholes that are used by these Scammers, the younger generation though smarter, is no less when it comes to online frauds Dating apps and Online friendships are some of the most popular ways to target the youth.

Considering all the points, it's the responsibility of The Government to regulate the online platforms and net banking and to make the population aware of how to use their SMARTphones in a true SMART Sense.

Report by Dibyam Kumar

Graphics by Sanskar Dubey