In recent news, a new type of online bank fraud has emerged, targeting users of popular digital payment apps such as Google Pay and PhonePe. In this scam, fraudsters knowingly send money to a victim’s account through the digital payment gateway, only to call the victim and request that the money be repaid, claiming that it was sent by mistake. Upon repayment, the victim’s data, including banking and KYC documents such as PAN and Aadhaar, are made available to the fraudster, making it possible to hack the victim’s bank account.
Pavan Duggal, a well-known cybercrime expert based in Delhi, has warned against this new phishing tactic, stating that it is a combination of malware phishing and human engineering. He explained that even anti-malware software may not be able to safeguard users from this type of fraud, emphasizing the importance of taking precautionary measures.
Duggal recommends that users of Google Pay and PhonePe do not repay any unexpected deposits received through their accounts. Instead, he advises them to contact their bank and report the incident, indicating that the money was deposited in their account by mistake. Additionally, he suggests that users ask the caller to come to the nearest police station to retrieve the money rather than returning it directly to the sender.
The emergence of this type of bank fraud serves as a reminder that users must remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions when making digital payments. Users should be cautious when receiving unexpected deposits and should never repay them without verifying the source of the deposit first. Furthermore, it is always best to report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities, such as the police or one’s bank.
