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Doctor's WhatsApp Hacked: Scammers Target CM, Stars
13 Feb
Summary
- A senior doctor's WhatsApp was hacked, leading to fraudulent money requests.
- Scammers contacted prominent figures including the Maharashtra CM.
- Two doctor friends and an acquaintance lost money to the cyber fraud.
A senior physician in Mumbai, Dr. Gautam Bhansali, recently experienced a sophisticated cyberattack that compromised his WhatsApp account. Hackers exploited the compromised account to send fabricated emergency messages to individuals in Dr. Bhansali's contact list, requesting immediate fund transfers to an unauthorized UPI account.
The fraudulent messages were designed to appear as genuine pleas for help, leading several recipients to transfer money without adequate verification. The deception was uncovered when a colleague contacted Dr. Bhansali to inquire about the unusual financial requests.
Dr. Bhansali reported the incident to the cyber crime department and Meta, which led to the eventual blocking of his account. However, financial losses had already occurred, with two doctor friends and another acquaintance collectively losing a significant sum.
Authorities have traced the suspected origin of the cyber fraud to Nalanda district in Bihar. While Dr. Bhansali's WhatsApp account was restored after approximately two days, the case highlights the growing prevalence of such scams and the tactics employed by fraudsters.
