Mumbai: Bhoiwada Police registered 14 separate cyber fraud offences in a single day, exposing the growing menace of online scams that targeted people from all walks of life, including housewives, doctors, nurses, govt employees, businessmen and private sector professionals. The fraudsters used different modus operandi, ranging from fake customer care numbers and APK files to bogus KYC updates, fake service providers and impersonation scams.In one case, a woman searching online for Blinkit customer care after not receiving her parcel allegedly contacted a fake helpline. The fraudsters claimed there was a mismatch in her delivery address and later sent her an APK file through WhatsApp. After installing it, ₹1 lakh was fraudulently transferred from her Bank of India and Union Bank accounts without her consent.A 27-year-old homemaker lost ₹95,000 while attempting to sell old furniture online. The accused, identified as Anil Jaiswal, allegedly tricked her into sharing banking details under the pretext of making payment In another case a nurse employed at KEM Hospital was cheated of ₹95,000 after receiving a message asking her to reply “OK” to update her Pay login credentials.A cloth merchant lost ₹93,000 after clicking a fraudulent advertisement on Google while searching for a service. He later received SMS alerts indicating unauthorized debits from his bank account . In another case an employee of Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation was duped of ₹2 lakh by cyber fraudsters, while another Haffkine employee reported that ₹1.98 lakh was withdrawn from his account after receiving suspicious messages, despite not authorising any transaction.A 43-year-old doctor attached to a private hospital in Colaba lost ₹4.95 lakh after opening a malicious APK file sent by fraudsters .A stenographer working at the City Civil Court was cheated of ₹2.84 lakh after opening a message purportedly sent by Mahanagar Gas.An accountant with Bharat Petroleum lost ₹1.12 lakh after searching online for an AC mechanic. The fraudster posed as a service provider and convinced him to complete a fake KYC update. In another case, a woman lost ₹60,000 after a fraudster impersonating a Mahanagar Gas representative sent her a malicious link.Another woman searching Google for the contact number of a cardiologist was contacted by a fraudster posing as the doctor’s assistant. She was sent an APK file and asked to pay ₹10 to register for an appointment. After installing the file, she lost ₹68,000.Cyber Police said the cases highlight the increasing use of fake customer care numbers, malicious APK files, fraudulent Google advertisements and impersonation tactics to steal banking credentials and gain remote access to victims’ mobile phones.Police have advised citizens to avoid downloading APK files received through messaging apps, verify customer care numbers only through official websites, and never share banking or OTP details with unknown callers.Mumbai Police have urged citizens to remain cautious while searching for customer care numbers or service providers online. Avoid downloading APK files or clicking links sent by unknown callers or through WhatsApp/SMS, as these can give fraudsters remote access to your phone and banking apps. Always verify customer care numbers through the official website or app of the company concerned. Never share OTPs, PINs, passwords or banking credentials with anyone. If you suspect a cyber fraud, immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 and report the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in to improve the chances of recovering the lost money.
