A new cyber scam is spreading rapidly in india in which people are being targeted in the name of 'transport software'. kochi Cyber Crime police has arrested a gang associated with this scam from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is alleged that these people were cheating people by sending fake APK (Android Package) files through WhatsApp.
How did this scam work?
The gang members used to send messages to people on whatsapp by calling themselves officers of the Transport Department. They used to claim that there is a huge challan pending on your vehicle and to pay it, download the app from the given link. Actually, that link was a fake APK file which used to intrude into the phone and steal your bank details.
According to the SPMC report, the accused had collected information about vehicles through Telegram bot. A 16-year-old teenager was also involved in this fraud who created the fake APK app. Action against this gang started when a person from ernakulam lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Reporting Portal (NCRP). The victim had said that he was cheated of Rs 85,000. Data of more than 2,700 vehicles has been found from the accused's phone, which includes vehicles from Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
How to avoid such scams?
Do not download apps from unknown sources: Check the credibility of any app before installing it. Do not trust unknown links or calls.
Use only official app stores: Download apps only from trusted platforms like google Play Store or apple App Store.
Keep restarting the phone from time to time: This can stop many harmful processes.
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