In a recent incident in Visakhapatnam, fraudsters successfully duped residents, with a total loss amounting to ₹14.5 lakhs.

The scam unfolded when a 62-year-old man sought assistance regarding his credit card issues from what he believed to be a legitimate helpline number found on Google.

The victim downloaded an application on his mobile phone and unknowingly submitted his credit card details.

Subsequently, he received a WhatsApp link, clicked on it, and provided the One-Time Passwords (OTPs) as instructed by an individual posing as a credit card executive.

This led to the fraudulent debiting of ₹3.73 lakhs in four transactions.

This incident is part of a larger trend, with eight individuals in the city falling victim to similar scams within a few days.

The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and caution residents about the manipulative tactics employed by scammers.

Authorities emphasize the need for caution when installing mobile-based applications, as victims are often lured into downloading remote-access applications under false pretenses, such as resolving issues related to power bills, PAN card updates, Aadhaar number verification for bank accounts, and more.

Vizag city police chief A Ravi Shankar advises residents to be wary of calls from fraudulent numbers and to exercise caution when prompted to download applications for troubleshooting or problem resolution.

Scammers exploit these opportunities to gain remote access to the victim's device and siphon funds from their bank accounts. Increased awareness and vigilance are crucial to preventing falling prey to such financial frauds.