Gandhinagar man loses Rs 1.3 lakh to OTP-based banking fraud

A 62-year-old man from Gandhinagar lost Rs 1.3 lakh after sharing an OTP with fraudsters posing as Amazon executives. Police warn against using Google-searched numbers and urge citizens to report cyber scams immediately via official channels

Hyderabad: A 62-year-old man from Gandhinagar has fallen victim to an OTP based banking fraud, allegedly after he unknowingly contacted a fake Amazon customer care number he found on ‘Google’.

According to the cybercrime police, the elderly man had placed an order on an e-commerce site on November 14 and later received a call on November 18 from an unidentified person who claimed the order was cancelled due to an incorrect address.

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Believing the caller, he reordered the product, but when the second order was also delayed, he searched online for the customer support number on November 22.

“He dialled a toll-free number displayed online, which turned out to be fraudulent. Minutes later, he received WhatsApp calls from impostors posing as the company’s executives. They claimed that his order would again be cancelled unless he deposited Rs 10 for verification. They insisted he share the OTP sent to his phone,” Cybercrime officials said.

Trusting them, the victim shared the OTP, enabling the fraudsters to carry out multiple unauthorised transactions amounting to Rs 1.3 lakh.

Police have cautioned citizens to remain alert against such scams as reputed companies never ask for OTPs, banking details or money for verification.

Public Advisory:

• *Do not rely on customer care numbers shown on Google searches.
• *Use only the contact details provided on official websites or apps.
• *Never share OTPs, PINs or banking information with anyone over calls, WhatsApp or SMS.
• *Companies never demand money or OTPs for order verification, delivery or refunds.
• *Avoid answering WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers claiming to be customer service.
• *Disconnect immediately if you receive any suspicious call.
• *Report cyber frauds immediately to the 1930 helpline or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
• *For urgent cyber-fraud assistance, contact 8712665171.