Delhi Lawyer Loses Rs. 50 Lakh in SIM Exchange Scam: What Occurred and How to Stay Safe

An advocate in North Delhi who suffered financial loss from her bank account recently became a victim of the phone hacking fraud. She received three missed calls from unfamiliar phone numbers. The cyber unit of the Delhi police claims that the victim did not answer the phone or share a One-Time Password (OTP). However, the culprit managed to obtain her banking details and all of her private data, resulting in the loss of her money. The police suspect that this incident could be a case of SIM swapping scam.

An incident involving a trial and high court attorney was reported on October 18, according to a report by Indian Express here. The lawyer filed a report with the police stating that she experienced a significant financial loss from her bank account. The exact amount of money she lost was not disclosed by the police.

According to an officer, the 35-year-old advocate missed calls from a specific phone number. When she called back from a different number, the caller claimed to be from a courier service. Assuming that she was expecting a package from a friend, she shared her home address with the caller. Although she did receive a package, she also received two messages from her bank notifying her of two unauthorized withdrawals. The police have not yet identified the scammers or made any arrests related to this case.

During the investigation, the police discovered an “unusual” browsing history that contained sites and links that the victim did not access. They also found UPI registrations and phishing-related text messages that the victim was unaware of. After the money was deducted, the advocate received a call from a man claiming to be an Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) officer, but she did not provide him with any information, confirmed the police.

What is a SIM Swapping Scam? SIM swapping is a method used by scammers to acquire someone’s SIM card. It is essentially internet-based identity theft. Once the scammers have access to the SIM card, they can demand money from the user’s contacts, access online banking, and more. As many online services and products, including internet banking, use OTP-based two-factor authentication, criminals with access to a SIM card can cause significant harm. That is why it is crucial to remain vigilant and develop self-defense skills against this type of cybercrime.

Here are some measures you can take to protect yourself from SIM swapping scams. Immediately notify your telecom provider if your SIM card stops working. You can also use a SIM lock to prevent others from using your SIM card on their smartphone without a password. As a general rule, avoid disclosing personal information online, especially if it could potentially lead to an easy password hack. It is also advisable to regularly monitor your bank accounts and report any unauthorized transactions.