Trick 2-Act as a Telecom Operator
- Impersonated telecom executives offering SIM upgrades.
- Convinced victims to share sensitive details for eSIM activation.
- Deactivated original SIMs to take control of victims’ mobile numbers.
- Used stolen numbers for OTP-based bank fraud and fund transfers.
2. Noida Woman Falls Victim to SIM Swap Fraud (2024)
Steps of the Fraud:
- Impersonation Call:
- A 44-year-old woman from Noida received a WhatsApp call from an individual claiming to be a telecom customer care executive.
- eSIM Upgrade Deception:
- The caller convinced her to upgrade her physical SIM to an eSIM for enhanced security, guiding her through the process and instructing her to enter a code received via SMS.
- SIM Deactivation:
- Following the instructions led to the deactivation of her SIM card.
- Unauthorized Transactions:
- With control over her mobile number, the scammers accessed her bank accounts, broke her fixed deposits, and siphoned off approximately ₹27 lakh through multiple transactions.