In today’s digital age, we rely heavily on credit cards for convenience, but this also makes us vulnerable to scams. Recently, a gang in Noida was arrested for defrauding over 50 people by promising to increase their credit card limits. The scammers used a series of clever tactics to trick their victims into handing over sensitive information. Keep reading to know how it all happened.
The gang operated by contacting credit card holders, posing as bank officials offering to raise their credit limits. They used personal details, which they had previously gathered, to make their offer seem legitimate. Victims were sent phishing links that led them to fake websites, designed to look like real bank portals.
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Once on these fraudulent sites, victims were prompted to download an app. The app then asked them to enter sensitive information, including their credit card numbers, email addresses, PAN and Aadhar card details, current credit limits, expiry dates, and CVV numbers, reports TOI. This information was used by the scammers to make unauthorised purchases.
“Using this stolen information and OTPs, the gang purchased expensive items like mobile phones and gold and silver coins from e-commerce sites using the victims’ credit cards,” said Noida Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Manish Mishra.
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The police were alerted to the scam after a tip-off, leading to the arrest of six individuals: Amit Kumar (28), Ravi Kanta (45), Tej Singh (24), Vikash Jha (27), Nagendra Sharma (24), and Nawab Khan (24). They are now facing charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating, forgery, and possession of forged documents, along with relevant sections of the IT Act.
However, the mastermind behind the scam, known as “Mota Bhai,” who is believed to have created the fake website, remains at large. The arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody.
This case serves as a reminder to be cautious of unsolicited calls and links. Always verify the source before sharing personal information, especially when it comes to sensitive financial details.