Phone cloning scam leads to ₹2.8 crore loss in Bengaluru

A Bengaluru resident from Whitefield recently fell victim to an elaborate phone cloning scam, losing a staggering ₹2.8 crore. The victim was initially thrilled to receive a mobile phone as a reward for his Union Bank credit card approval. However, the excitement quickly turned into a nightmare when the phone was cloned by cybercriminals.

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The Cloning Trick

The scam began when the victim received a call claiming to be from Union Bank, informing him of his successful credit card approval and a mobile phone gift as part of reward points. The caller instructed the individual to insert his SIM card into the new phone, which was actually already cloned. Upon activating the SIM, the fraudsters gained access to all his personal and banking details, including his HDFC account information.

Immediate Withdrawals and Cross-Border Laundering

Within moments of the SIM activation, money was withdrawn from the victim's HDFC account. The scam was further escalated as multiple other accounts linked to the SIM card were also targeted. A total of ₹2.8 crore was transferred to an account belonging to a farmer from Kolar. The stolen funds were then used to purchase jewels in Ahmedabad.

Phone Cloning: A Rising Cyber Threat

This incident highlights the increasing threat of phone cloning in cybercrime. Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious of unsolicited calls and ensure their mobile phones are secure.