Cybercrime alert: Hyderabad homemaker loses Rs. 1.4 lakh after ordering from grocery delivery app

Hyderabad: A 38-year-old homemaker in Hyderabad fell victim to a cybercrime scam after placing an order on a popular Indian Q-commerce app. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, lost ₹1,44,998 (Rupees One Lakh Forty-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Eight Only) in the incident.

According to the Cyber Crime Police, the victim placed an order on the app, which was later canceled. Soon after, she received a WhatsApp message from someone posing as an employee of the company. The scammer claimed to be assisting with the refund process.

The victim then received a call from the scammer, who instructed her to verify her account details through a fraudulent link. The scammer further convinced the victim to share her screen during a video call and download a malicious APK file.

Crucially, the victim did not share any OTPs or card details directly. However, during the video call, the scammer managed to gain unauthorized access to her phone. With this access, the scammer was able to steal her credit card information and make unauthorized transactions.

Despite the victim's quick action in contacting customer care and blocking her bank transactions, an amount had already been debited from her account. The victim has filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police and requested them to take necessary action.

Public Advisory:

Here are some important safety tips to remember:
• Never respond to emails or links in messages or calls claiming to update or verify KYC documents.
• Never share your User ID, Password, Debit Card Number, PIN, CVV, or OTP with anyone.
• Change your credentials immediately if you suspect any suspicious activity.
• Remember: Banks, financial institutions, and legitimate organizations will never ask customers to share confidential information.
• Keep confidential details private – don't share them with anyone, including family or friends.
• If unsure about the safety of your account, visit your bank branch in person.

Report Cybercrime:

• Dial 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in to report cybercrimes.
• In case of emergency, call or WhatsApp 8712665171.