PhonePe cashback offer scam leaves Delhi Police official in financial trouble, Rs 2 Lakh lost

By Ankita ChakravartiScammers continue to find new ways to deceive people and take their money as technology progresses.And no matter who you are, you are very likely to fall for the scams because they seem so real. In the latest incident, a Delhi Police official became a target and lost over Rs 2 lakh due to a fraudulent cashback offer supposedly provided by the PhonePe app.

According to PTI reports, the Delhi Police official received a call from an unfamiliar number informing him that he had won a cashback offer from a transaction he had made on PhonePe. However, in order to receive the cashback, he was instructed to download a different app. This app was not affiliated with PhonePe, but it was used as a tool by the scammers to exploit the official. Since such apps often offer cashback deals, it appeared legitimate to the unsuspecting victim.

Once the official downloaded and installed the app, the scammers gained complete control over his smartphone. They were able to carry out transactions using his phone and ultimately transferred a total of Rs 2,12,000 from his bank account and credit card.

The victim promptly filed a First Information Report (FIR), leading to an investigation by the police. Fortunately, the authorities were able to catch hold of the fraudsters involved. The group consisted of four individuals, including a couple who facilitated the money transfer to a digital wallet. The digital wallet was linked to up to five bank accounts located in different areas, such as Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

In addition to the arrests, the police also recovered cheque books, ATM cards, and passbooks belonging to the scammers. Thankfully, the entire amount that was scammed from the police official was returned to him. Online scams have evolved over time, adapting to target individuals through the apps and services they commonly use. For instance, scammers have taken advantage of platforms like WhatsApp to approach people with enticing job offers and money-making schemes.

In this particular case, the scammers exploited the cashback offers provided by PhonePe as a decoy. It is important to note that genuine cashback offers are available within the PhonePe app itself and do not require the use of third-party apps to claim them. This incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution and remain vigilant while engaging with online transactions and offers.