A 26-year old Pune woman has become the latest victim of the parcel scam. As per an online report, the woman incurred a financial loss of Rs 11 lakh in “drugs-in-parcel” scam.
How did the scam took place
The victim, a manager at a private global bank, received a call from someone posing as an executive from a courier company. The caller informed the woman that a parcel containing illegal drugs addressed to her was being sent from Mumbai to Iran.The scammer informed her that the parcel consists of some debit cards, expired passports and toys filled with 500 grams of drugs.
The scammer then convinced the woman to connect with a “police officer” via a video call on a social networking platform with a fake profile picture and name. Also, the scammers reportedly coerced the victim into locking herself in a room to ensure “privacy” during the supposed investigation.
After this, with the help of some apps, the scammers managed to gain remote access to the victim’s phone. This allowed them to manipulate her banking app and transfer 11.6 lakh from her bank account.
The victim, realisng she had been scammed, approached the Chaturshrungi police station in Pune to file a First Information Report (FIR).
Bank warning on remote access apps
Banks have frequently warned users about a remote desktop app called AnyDesk, which fraudsters are using to rob people. Several banks, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, have issued advisories to their customers about fraudsters using the AnyDesk app to steal money via UPI. Another app, TeamViewer QuickSupport, is also being used for similar fraudulent activities. However, awareness about AnyDesk is relatively low, and fraudsters are exploiting this to trick unsuspecting individuals and steal money online.
Downloading suspicious apps can expose you to fraud. These scam apps often request a 9-digit remote desk code, which grants the scammer access to see and even record your phone’s screen.
Once they have control, they can watch everything you do, including when you enter your banking or UPI app credentials. These malicious apps can even run in the background, even if you lock your phone, allowing them to steal your login information.
How to stay safe from this kind of fraud
* Don’t engage with callers claiming to represent courier companies or law enforcement agencies about suspicious packages.
* Always verify information directly with the authorities or courier companies through their official channels.
* Never grant remote access to your phone or computer to anyone you don’t know and trust explicitly.
* Report any suspicious calls, emails, or messages to the authorities immediately.