Cybercrooks Siphon Off Rs 1.45 Lakh Using Malicious APK Link

Cybercriminals in Pune have successfully siphoned off a sum of Rs 1.45 lakh from a local woman and her father-in-law using a deceptive tactic centred on a malicious APK (Android Application Package) link. The fraudsters initiated the scam by posing as customer care executives from a mobile phone company, persuading the victims to click the link and inadvertently hand over access to their personal banking information;Times of India reported

The elaborate fraud began when the 43-year-old victim received a call from an unknown number. The caller, claiming to represent a telecom firm's customer service, requested verification details from the woman. During the conversation, she also shared the mobile number of her father-in-law, who used the same service provider.

Subsequently, the criminals sent APK files to both mobile phone numbers, directing the victims to click the link and input their account and other financial information to supposedly 'process a certain task'. As soon as the victims followed these instructions, the crooks were able to gain unauthorised access to their mobile phone banking applications.

Exploiting this access, the criminals swiftly drained Rs 1.45 lakh from the family's finances, executing the theft via four separate transactions across four different bank accounts belonging to the duo. Following the incident, the woman formally lodged a complaint with the Airport police. Authorities have since confirmed that an investigation is underway and they have requested transaction details from the affected banks to trace the movement of the stolen funds.