Team Goemkarponn
VERNA: A Zuarinagar resident was allegedly cheated of ₹1,50,666 after cyber fraudsters lured him into installing a malicious application through a fake WhatsApp message claiming his Adani Gas bill was pending.
According to Verna Police, complainant Pavan Chauhan received a WhatsApp message on July 23 at around 10.38 am stating that his Adani Gas connection would be disconnected unless the pending bill was paid immediately.
Police said the fraudsters sent an APK file through WhatsApp and persuaded the complainant to install it on the pretext of facilitating the payment. After the application was installed, the accused allegedly gained unauthorised access to the complainant’s mobile phone and banking credentials.
The accused then allegedly fraudulently debited ₹1,50,666 from the complainant’s HDFC Bank account without his knowledge or consent.
Based on the complaint, Verna Police have registered a case under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Further investigation is being carried out by PSI David Costa of Verna Police Station under the supervision of PI Anand Shirodkar and the guidance of Mormugao DySP Gurudas Kadam.
Police have advised citizens not to install APK files received through WhatsApp or other messaging platforms from unknown sources, warning that such applications are commonly used by cyber criminals to gain unauthorised access to mobile devices and bank accounts.
