Now, fraudsters are taking over your phone to wipe out your money

Fraudsters trick people into revealing bank account details, which they use to withdraw money

Cyber fraudsters are now using a remote desktop app to steal money from the bank accounts of their targets. They trap victims by creating fake websites of well-known companies where they display their mobile numbers. Over the past three months, Mumbai police have filed at least 20 cases and investigations are on to find the culprits. On Friday, mid-day spoke to five residents who have lost thousands. People looking for help are tricked into downloading AnyDesk app on their mobile phones and revealing their bank account details, which the fraudsters use to withdraw thousands of rupees.

Worli man loses Rs 1 lakh

Among the recent victims is Ram Wadhwani, a 60-year-old businessman in Worli. On Tuesday, he received a call from a person claiming to be a Vodafone representative who told him that his SIM card was out of date and needs to be changed. The caller told him that he needs to pay Rs 10, and asked to give bank account number and download AnyDesk through a link he sent. As Wadhwani downloaded the app, the caller took access to his mobile phone and withdrew R10,000 from his bank account. He debited Rs 1 lakh in a total of 10 transactions. Wadhwani rushed to his bank and got his account blocked.

Over Rs 1.5L lost in 15 minutes

Bharat Pujara, 60, from Malabar Hill, recently placed an order on Amazon for a cordless phone. A day later, he got a call from someone claiming to be from Amazon who said that there was a problem with the delivery so the money will be refunded. He asked Pujara to download the AnyDesk app. Thereafter, he asked Pujara to enter his credit card number, its expiry date and CVV for the refund. Pujara hesitated to give the CVV, but was eventually convinced. Within 15 minutes, he lost R1,53,907 in seven transactions. The money was debited through Arrow Pay, Raj Dhani Limited, Mobikwik Limited and Pay Rent Pay Limited, police said.

A Mankhurd resident, tricked by a man claiming to be from RBL Bank, lost Rs 45,097. Representation pic

Amita Laliwala, 43, who lives in Walkeshwar, had to send a courier to Jaipur in Rajasthan and searched ‘Blue Dart near me' on Google. She found a mobile number and contacted it. She was told to fill up a form, and pay a processing fee of Rs 10 through a link. Laliwala made the payment from her husband's bank account. Then, the fraudster sent her the link to AnyDesk app and asked her to download it. Once she did, he got access to the phone and withdrew Rs 20,999. She immediately called the bank and got her account blocked. Laliwala called on the number again to enquire about the debited amount, and was told that she would receive the refund.

Satish Sathe, 32, from Mankhurd received a call from someone claiming to be from RBL Bank. The caller told Sathe that he will get discounts on shopping and purchase of petrol and diesel if he has RBL Bank and AnyDesk apps. As Sathe did not have the AnyDesk app, the caller sent him a link to download it. Soon, he lost Rs 45,097 in four transactions. He has complained about this to the local police station.

Durga Gaud, 84, a doctor, had subscribed to Sony LIV in his TV, but could not access it. He searched on the internet for a SonyLIV customer care number and found one. A person named Vinay answered his call and asked him to download the AnyDesk app on his mobile phone. Gaud downloaded it and filled up a form that also sought his bank account details. Soon, he received a message that R19,999 had been debited from his bank account. A total of R55,998 was debited in four transactions.

Cops caution public

A cyber cell officer told mid-day, "AnyDesk App is used by corporate offices to resolve issues of the employees. But, when someone sends it to you as a link, it is owned by that person. When you download the app using that link, that person gets access to your mobile phone. When he transfers money using your bank account number, he can see the OTP that comes on your mobile phone. Once you receive the bank transaction message, the fraudster can see the remaining balance mentioned in the text and withdraws more money."

"We can reach the accused with the help of AnyDesk, which is a foreign company but can be contacted," the officer said. Maharashtra Cyber Cell Inspector General Yashasvi Yadav told mid-day, "While searching for a company or an agency, if an unknown person calls and says that he is speaking from the relevant place, be careful. The person will engage you in conversation and systematically send you a link to fill in the information, otherwise send a link and ask you to download the AnyDesk app. Don't click on any such link."

Rs 1,53,907
Maximum amount lost by one victim

Rs 1L
Amount a Worli resident lost to a fraudster