An autorickshaw driver in Andheri (E) was swindled of Rs 1.04 lakh after he tried to install a digital wallet based payment application. The unidentified accused posed as a customer care representative of the mobile application, and duped the auto driver on the pretext of helping with the installation of the app and registering the bank. While a case has been lodged at Powai police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, no arrests have been made yet.
According to police, the incident occurred on May 26, when the victim, a 40-year-old auto driver, was trying to install a PhonePe application, which is a digital wallet and online payment app, for easy transactions. In his statement, the auto driver said, "When I tried to install it, I came across a few hurdles that me and my teen daughter were unable to overcome. I then received a call from a man identified as Manoj, who claimed to be a representative of PhonePe, and asked to get in touch with his senior."
The victim was then contacted by the 'senior representative', who asked him to download the team viewer quick support app, a screen sharing app, to resolve the issue. The man then asked the auto driver to share a number, which gives him full access, and then instructed the victim to input his privy bank details like account number, expiry date of debit card, CVV and other details, following which there were a number of transactions worth ₹1.04 lakh on the pretext of returning the lost money.
Police said, realizing that he fell prey to a con, the auto driver immediately shut his mobile data and uninstalled the screen sharing app. He then approached police and submitted a complaint letter, based on which a case was lodged at Powai police station against the unidentified men for cheating under relevant sections of the IPC and IT Act. Police said that they have written to the bank's nodal officer to stop the payment and search for the accused is underway.
