In a concerning turn of events, a sales executive based in Bengaluru experienced a financial setback as he fell victim to an online scam, resulting in a loss of over Rs 38,000 from his LazyPay loan application account. The orchestrated scam unfolded when Channakeshava KS received a deceptive SMS, seemingly from Swiggy, asserting the placement of a Rs 5,345 order and prompting him to verify the transaction.
Channakeshava, employed as a sales executive at an automobile firm, received an automated call purportedly from Swiggy, informing him of an order made using his account. Despite not initiating any food order, the unsuspecting victim was guided through voice prompts, inadvertently divulging one-time passwords (OTPs) in the process.
Initially receiving four OTPs, Channakeshava, sensing foul play, endeavored to log out of his Swiggy account, only to discover a staggering Rs 38,720 fraudulently deducted from his LazyPay loan application account.
Recognizing the severity of the scam, Channakeshava promptly filed a complaint at a local police station. However, when authorities recommended logging into his Swiggy account for investigative purposes, he was confronted with a disheartening revelation—all his account information had been systematically deleted by the fraudsters, erasing any trace of the illicit activity.
Amidst a surge in calls and messages, believed to be a deliberate ploy by the scammers to distract the victim, Channakeshava took decisive action by logging out of his Swiggy account, putting an end to the barrage of communications. However, the financial damage had already been inflicted.
Authorities at the police station directed Channakeshava to return the following day for the formal registration of a First Information Report (FIR). Upon his return and an attempt to log into his Swiggy account, the victim discovered the extent of the erasure—requiring him to sign up anew as all information had been purged.
In response to the incident, Swiggy was contacted, and while an email was dispatched, the company requested additional time to conduct a thorough investigation. In the interim, LazyPay took preemptive measures by temporarily blocking Channakeshava’s account to prevent further unauthorized deductions.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities individuals face in the digital realm, underscoring the imperative for heightened awareness and caution in dealing with online transactions and verifying unexpected communications. Authorities are actively pursuing the case with the aim of apprehending those responsible for orchestrating this fraudulent activity.
