Retired BSNL employee loses Rs 4.19 lakh in fake Hyderabad Water Board scam

A retired BSNL employee from LB Nagar lost Rs 4.19 lakh after cyber fraudsters posing as Hyderabad Water Board officials tricked him through a fake WhatsApp message about an overdue bill and water meter KYC verification. Police have launched an investigation.

Hyderabad: A retired BSNL employee from Rock Town Colony near LB Nagar lost Rs 4.19 lakh to cyber fraudsters after falling victim to a fake water bill payment scam.

According to police, the victim received a WhatsApp message on July 1 claiming that his Hyderabad Water Board drinking water bill was unpaid and that his water connection would be disconnected. The message also carried a phone number for assistance.

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When he called the number, the caller identified himself as Vivek Sharma and claimed that the water meter KYC needed to be updated. “The fraudster persuaded the victim to share his UPI, SBI bank account and ATM card details,” said an official.

Although the complainant became suspicious and disconnected the call, two mobile applications posing as Water Board apps were allegedly installed on his phone during the interaction. . Despite not sharing any OTP or PIN, Rs 4.19 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn from his bank account.

The victim later approached the Malkajgiri Cybercrime Police, who registered a case and are investigating.