Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based woman doctor fell victim to a ₹1.41 lakh scam after being tricked into sharing her Google Pay screen with a fraudster posing as an army official.
How the Scam Unfolded
On February 2, a 49-year-old doctor from Hyderguda received a WhatsApp message from a fraudster claiming to be arranging medical examinations for 90 women cadets from a police academy. He assured her that the consultation fee would be paid in advance, with an “army colonel” handling the transaction.
Soon after, the doctor received a video call from a man dressed as an army officer. He requested her bank details, stating that ₹37,000 would be credited for the check-ups at ₹400 per cadet. To gain her trust, he first transferred ₹10 to her ICICI Bank account and asked her to verify the deposit.
Claiming that the full amount would be sent via Google Pay, the fraudster asked her to share her mobile screen. Unaware of the risk, the doctor complied.
Unauthorized Transactions
While she was on the call, the fraudster used her screen-sharing session to access her banking details and initiate three unauthorized transactions to his ICICI credit card. At no point did she receive any OTP or alert call from ICICI Bank. The fraud only came to light when the scammer asked her to check her account again, and she discovered that ₹1,40,972 had been debited.
Cybercrime Investigation
Hyderabad Cybercrime Inspector Satish Reddy explained that fraudsters exploit screen-sharing by installing a UPI app on their device using the victim’s mobile number. When an OTP is sent to verify the app, it appears on the victim’s shared screen, allowing the fraudster to input it and gain access to linked bank accounts.
Upon realizing the fraud, the doctor immediately contacted ICICI Bank to block her cards and verify the transactions. She then filed a police complaint.
Police Advisory
Authorities are investigating the case, requesting transaction records from the bank to trace the beneficiary accounts. They have also issued warnings:
- Never share your mobile or computer screen during financial transactions.
- No legitimate bank or institution will request screen sharing via apps like Google Meet, AnyDesk, or TeamViewer.
- Always verify the identity of callers claiming to represent the army, police, or other organizations by contacting them directly.
This incident serves as a reminder to remain cautious and avoid sharing sensitive information online.
