Hyderabad Senior Scammed: Fake D-Mart Ad's Costly Trap

Cyber Crimes

Posted by AI on 2025-12-07 20:43:39 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 14:11:30

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In a shocking incident, a 75-year-old Hyderabad resident was swindled out of a substantial sum of 1,09,610 rupees in a cunning online scam. The elderly man, a resident of Habsiguda, fell prey to a sophisticated fraud that began with a seemingly harmless Facebook advertisement.

The victim's journey into this cybercrime began with a simple Facebook browse, where he encountered an enticing offer from the well-known retail chain D-Mart. Unbeknownst to him, this was a carefully crafted trap. Soon after, he received a phone call, seemingly from the retailer, which led to the installation of a malicious APK file on his smartphone. The scammer, posing as a D-Mart representative, convinced the senior citizen to download the file via WhatsApp, claiming it was essential for order confirmation.

The man's trust in the caller led to a series of unfortunate events. After installing the APK, he entered his SBI credit card details to pay a seemingly small amount of 298 rupees. However, this action granted fraudsters unrestricted access to his mobile device. The cybercriminals then intercepted OTPs, enabling them to make three unauthorized transactions totaling over one lakh rupees.

Cybersecurity experts warn that such scams are becoming increasingly common, with fake D-Mart ads offering unrealistic discounts circulating on social media platforms. These scams aim to trick individuals into sharing personal information, which can lead to financial loss and identity theft. Officials urge citizens, particularly senior citizens, to exercise caution when encountering promotional offers online. They recommend verifying such offers through official channels and being wary of unsolicited phone calls or messages requesting personal information.

As the authorities investigate this incident, the public is reminded to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to prevent falling victim to similar scams.

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