Cybercrime cases involving a new “fake accident alert” scam are on the rise, with fraudsters using a single whatsapp photo to deceive victims and drain their bank accounts within minutes.
In this scam, criminals contact individuals through whatsapp or phone calls, claiming that a close family member or friend has met with a serious road accident. To make the claim appear genuine, the scammers send a photograph showing an injured person, a damaged vehicle, or a hospital scene. The image is often stolen from the internet or taken from unrelated past incidents.
Panicked by the sudden news, victims are told that immediate money is required for emergency medical treatment, surgery, or police settlement. Exploiting the emotional distress of the situation, fraudsters pressure victims to transfer money quickly through UPI, net banking, or wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital wallets, warning that any delay could be life-threatening.
Once the money is transferred, the scammers immediately cut off all communication. In many cases, victims later discover that their family member was never involved in any accident, by which time the funds have already been withdrawn or moved through multiple accounts.
Cybercrime officials have warned the public to remain calm and verify such claims before making any financial transaction. They advise people to directly contact the concerned family member, hospital authorities, or local police to confirm the authenticity of the information. Citizens are also urged not to trust photos or messages received from unknown numbers and to avoid sharing personal or banking details under any circumstances.
Authorities have reiterated that no hospital or police department demands emergency payments through whatsapp or phone calls. Victims of such scams are encouraged to immediately report the incident to the cybercrime helpline and their respective banks to prevent further loss.
Public awareness and timely verification are being emphasized as the most effective ways to protect against such emotionally driven online frauds.
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