We rely significantly on Google for a variety of tasks, from locating locations to obtaining contact information and gathering information. While Google is typically trustworthy, there are times when malevolent persons or hackers take advantage of people’s faith in this platform to carry out their evil actions. A Delhi-based doctor recently lost money while attempting to get a refund via a cab-based app.
According to the Times of India, Pradeep Chowdhury, a resident of Arjun Nagar in Safdarjung Enclave, experienced painful digital fraud after requesting a Rs 113 return from a cab service provider. His adventure started when he hailed a cab to work in Gurgaon. “Initially, he was quoted Rs 205 for the ride, but once it ended, the fare showed Rs 318,” a police source disclosed.
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Dr. Chowdhury questioned the cab driver about the extra Rs 113 fee. The driver advised calling the cab company’s customer service department to get a refund. Chowdhury followed this advice and looked up the customer service number online.
According to the Times of India, Pradeep Chowdhury, a resident of Arjun Nagar in Safdarjung Enclave, experienced painful digital fraud after requesting a Rs 113 return from a cab service provider. His adventure started when he hailed a cab to work in Gurgaon. “Initially, he was quoted Rs 205 for the ride, but once it ended, the fare showed Rs 318,” a police source disclosed.
Dr. Chowdhury questioned the cab driver about the extra Rs 113 fee. The driver advised calling the cab company’s customer service department to get a refund. Chowdhury followed this advice and looked up the customer service number online.
He located a number he thought belonged to the cab business and instantly dialed it. Someone acting as a customer service worker answered the phone. Dr. Chowdhury described the issue and requested a reimbursement for the overpayment.
The call was sent to someone purporting to be Rakesh Mishra, who was meant to be answering consumer issues. Mishra directed Chowdhury to a remote sensing program and asked for access to his e-wallet. He then told Chowdhury to enter the reimbursement amount, followed by the first six digits of his phone number, as a verification step.
Chowdhury followed the directions, supplying the needed information, and trusting the ostensible verification procedure. He even divulged his OTP. Surprisingly, this resulted in four unlawful transactions, resulting in a Rs 4.9 lakh loss.
Law enforcement personnel have filed a complaint under IPC section 420 (cheating) and IT Act section 66 D. Investigators believe that scammers placed a false customer service number online, and Dr. Chowdhury fell prey to this phony number while looking for the actual customer service number.
Police are aggressively investigating the issue, organizing dedicated teams to track down the culprits of this heinous digital swindle.
