Protecting Patna: Residents Lose Rs 15 Lakh to Electricity App Fraud

Patna residents fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam, losing a total of Rs 15 lakh through a fake app related to electricity meter readings. Authorities are investigating while advising caution against such fraudulent activities. TRAI is also upgrading its DND app to curb spam calls and messages.

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In Patna, a significant scam has unfolded, where cyber fraudsters have exploited unsuspecting residents, resulting in a whopping loss of Rs 15 lakh. The culprits employed a deceptive scheme, coercing victims into downloading an application through fraudulent means related to electricity meter readings. Victims like Mohammad Saeed and Mohammad Shafiq Ahmed from Shastri Nagar have encountered substantial financial losses, with Saeed losing a staggering Rs 9.9 lakh and Ahmed falling prey to a loss of Rs 1.84 lakh.

The strategy involved impersonating power officials, and intimidating victims with threats of power cuts due to alleged fund shortages. Following a call from someone posing as the Electricity Secretary, Saeed succumbed to the pressure and downloaded the 'Any Desk' app as instructed. Despite sending a nominal sum as directed, he found his account drained of a substantial amount. Similarly, Ahmed also faced financial depletion due to this elaborate ruse.

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Residents have promptly reported these fraudulent activities, leading to the initiation of a case registered on November 25. Meanwhile, authorities advise caution and vigilance against such scams. Tips include skepticism towards lucrative offers, careful consideration of personal phone-based offers, stringent verification of bank transactions, adoption of robust passwords for online accounts, and careful authentication of individuals seeking personal or financial information, especially over phone calls.

Furthermore, in a proactive move, India's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) is enhancing its Do Not Disturb (DND) app to combat the persistent issue of spam calls and messages. The updated DND app aims for compatibility across all devices by March 2024, providing users with a more effective tool against spam.