Man Loses ₹12 Lakh in Aadhaar Card Misuse Scam Following Fake FedEx Call
Hyderabad Cyber Crimes Police Investigate ₹12 Lakh Parcel Scam
In a shocking incident, a 23-year-old employee at a private firm in Hyderabad became the victim of a ₹12 lakh scam. The fraudsters exploited the victim’s Aadhaar card details and tricked him into transferring a substantial amount of money. The Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police have initiated a detailed investigation into this alarming case of financial fraud.
The Scam Unveiled: How It Happened
The Hindu reported that the scam began when the victim received a call from someone posing as a FedEx official. The caller falsely informed the victim that his Aadhaar number had been misused for a courier dispatched from Mumbai to Saudi Arabia. According to the scammer, the parcel contained illegal substances and diabetes medications, raising serious legal concerns for the victim.
Coercion and Threats: The Method of Deception
The fraudsters didn’t stop at false information. They coerced the victim into transferring funds under the guise of verifying his innocence. Using threats during a Skype video call, they managed to instill fear and urgency, leading the victim to transfer the money.
Authorities’ Call to Action
In light of this incident, authorities urge anyone falling prey to similar cyber financial frauds to promptly report the incidents. Victims can reach out via the Cyber Crime helpline number 1930 or through the portal cybercrime.gov.in. Additionally, assistance is available through WhatsApp at 8712665171.
RBI Report Highlights Surge in Banking Frauds
The Reserve Bank of India’s annual report for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24) revealed a significant rise in fraud cases within the banking sector. The number of fraud incidents surged by nearly 300%, escalating to 36,075 cases compared to previous years. Despite this sharp increase in fraud cases, the total monetary loss decreased from ₹45,358 crore in FY22 to ₹13,930 crore in FY24.
Online Frauds on the Rise
The report highlighted an alarming 708% increase in online fraud cases over the past two years, totaling 29,082 incidents. Correspondingly, the amount of money defrauded through internet banking and card transactions rose by 145%, reaching ₹1,457 crore.
Sector-Wise Breakdown of Fraud Cases
According to the RBI report, private sector banks reported 67% of the total fraud cases in FY24, while public sector banks accounted for 75% of the total fraud amount. The percentage of fraud amounts reported by private lenders stood at 22.8% in FY24.
Loan Portfolios: The Major Source of Fraud Losses
While the internet and card transaction category saw a substantial number of fraud cases, the highest monetary losses were reported from loan portfolios. Public sector banks notably experienced the most significant losses in this category. Of the total fraud amount of ₹13,930 crore reported in FY24, a significant 84% originated from advances within the loan portfolio category.
Conclusion: Vigilance and Reporting Are Key
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting in combating cyber financial fraud. With the rise in online fraud cases, individuals and institutions must remain cautious and proactive in protecting their financial information. Authorities continue to encourage victims to report frauds immediately to help curb this growing menace.
