Several Vizagites lose over Rs 25 lakh after downloading fake PM-Kisan app

Visakhapatnam: Over 12 persons from parts of Vizag city were duped over Rs 25 lakh after installing a malicious mobile application disguised as PM-Kisan app. The victims received WhatsApp messages from an unknown number containing an Android Application Package (APK) file claiming to be linked to the govt welfare scheme.Police said a 30-year-old man approached the cybercrime police station in Vizag city and filed a complaint, stating that Rs 90,000 was fraudulently debited from his bank account in March through seven unauthorized transactions. He also mentioned in his complaint that multiple debits were reflected in his bank statement and were linked to some UPI Ids. A preliminary investigation by the police found that the man received a message and clicked the link, which triggered the downloading and installation of the app. Soon after, his phone malfunctioned. Within a few hours, Rs 90,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from his bank account.Like him, nearly a dozen people from parts of the city lost amounts ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh after clicking the file. They too lodged complaints with the cybercrime police station. Police said cyber fraudsters are circulating APK files disguised as official PM-Kisan apps, urging people to use them to register or claim additional benefits. Once installed, these apps enable unauthorized transactions. People must be extremely cautious about clicking links they receive on their phones, the police added.Cybercrooks have been using various modus operandi including KYC update, Aadhaar card update, credit card limit increase, new credit card application, stock marketing and trading applications to get victims to install such links, the police added, while reiterating that netizens must not click on any suspicious links or allow permissions to sensitive information on their mobile or laptop devices.