HIGHLIGHTS
A Noida woman fell victim to a money transfer scam that cost her nearly Rs 50,000.
The victim was approached by a scammer posing as a client of her husband.
By the time she realised she had been scammed, it was too late.
In today’s digital age, scams targeting vulnerable individuals are on the rise. Recently, a woman in her 60s from Noida fell victim to a money transfer scam that cost her nearly Rs 50,000. This incident highlights the importance of awareness and caution in an increasingly connected world.
The victim was approached by a scammer posing as a client of her husband. Trusting the caller’s familiarity with her husband’s name, she was convinced to make the transfer. By the time she realised she had been scammed, it was too late—the money had been sent, and the scammer had deactivated their phone number, reports TOI.
What is a money transfer scam?
A money transfer scam is a deceptive scheme where fraudsters trick victims into sending money to them, often using social engineering tactics. Scammers may reach out through phone calls, text messages, or emails, posing as trusted individuals to gain the victim’s confidence.
Also read: Surat-based manager loses Rs 60 lakh in WhatsApp scam: Here’s what happened
How these scams work
- Impersonation: Scammers frequently pretend to be trusted figures, such as family members, bank representatives, or government officials.
- Urgency tactics: They create a false sense of urgency, suggesting that immediate action is necessary to avoid financial losses or legal issues.
- Manipulative techniques: Emotional manipulation is used to persuade victims to transfer funds or disclose sensitive information.
Also read: Pune citizen loses over Rs 5.3 lakhs while trying to return defective charger: Is a new scam emerging?
How to protect yourself from such scams
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scams and the methods fraudsters use.
- Verify Information: Always confirm the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information.
- Be wary of urgent requests: If you feel pressured to act quickly, take a step back and verify the request independently.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links: Avoid clicking links in messages from unknown senders.
- Use strong passwords: Create unique, strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.