Be vigilant: Fraudsters using sophisticated online methods are increasingly targeting the public, leading to widespread financial losses as advanced technology is exploited to rob citizens.
These incidents have become alarmingly common. Hackers employ various emotional tactics to deceive their victims. These include calls regarding fake phone SIM verifications, alerts about non-existent parcel deliveries, or the most distressing tactic: convincing you that a loved one is in terrible trouble and desperately needs money.
The method is simple but effective. Scammers will call a target and ask for the One-Time Password (OTP) that was just sent to their number, or they will urge the victim to click on a suspicious link sent via message.
If you comply with their request, the hackers gain control of your mobile phone. From there, they can empty your bank account or hijack your WhatsApp. They then use your compromised account to send messages to your contacts, pretending to be you in a dire emergency, and scam your friends and family out of large sums of money.
This scam is so pervasive that even well-known figures, such as former CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy and MQM MNA Dr. Nikhat Shakeel, have fallen victim to this online fraud.
Cybersecurity experts have issued a strong warning to the public: If you ever receive a frantic message, even from a loved one’s number, claiming they are in trouble and asking for money, you must always verify their identity by placing a regular phone call to them directly before taking any action.
