Cyber Fraud Targeting Senior Citizens in Mumbai

Incident Overview

In August 2024, a 73-year-old woman from central Mumbai became a victim of a cyber fraud scheme involving the fraudulent updating of her bank’s Know Your Customer (KYC) details. The scam led to a loss of ₹2 lakh from her bank account.

Modus Operandi

The victim received a text message claiming that her bank’s KYC was about to expire and required immediate updating. The message included a link directing her son to a counterfeit website. Trusting the communication, he entered the requested personal information, leading to unauthorized transactions from the woman’s bank account.

Impact

The fraudulent transactions resulted in a loss of ₹2 lakh, causing significant financial distress to the elderly woman. Such scams exploit the vulnerabilities of senior citizens, who may be less familiar with digital security protocols.

Preventive Measures

To protect against similar KYC frauds:

• Verify Communications: Always confirm the authenticity of unsolicited messages or calls claiming to be from your bank.
• Direct Contact: Use official contact details from your bank’s website to reach out for any KYC-related inquiries.
• Avoid Unverified Links: Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
• Educate Vulnerable Individuals: Inform elderly family members about common cyber fraud tactics and encourage them to seek assistance when in doubt.