Noida woman loses ₹27L in eSIM scam: Here's what happened
A Noida resident, Jyotsana Bhatia, was recently defrauded of ₹27 lakh in an elaborate SIM card scam. The fraudster posed as a telecom executive and convinced Bhatia to switch to an embedded SIM (eSIM). The incident has raised concerns about the security risks associated with digital communication. The 44-year-old woman has since reported the matter to the police, and an investigation is currently underway.
Fraudster impersonated telecom executive to execute scam
The scammer contacted Bhatia via WhatsApp, claiming to be a customer care representative from a telecom company. He informed her about the benefits of an eSIM, particularly its usefulness in case of phone loss. Bhatia was then persuaded to share a code she received via text message, which led to the deactivation of her SIM card. The fraudster assured her that she would receive a new physical SIM within two to three days.
Bhatia discovered the scam after receiving a new SIM
When Bhatia did not receive her new SIM card as promised, she contacted customer care and was advised to get a duplicate SIM from the service center. After activating her new number, she started receiving notifications about deductions from her bank account. "The suspect broke my fixed deposit, siphoned off money from two bank accounts, and extended a loan of ₹7.40 lakh in my name without my knowledge," Bhatia stated in her FIR.
Scammer accessed mobile banking app, changed email ID
The scammer not only accessed Bhatia's mobile banking application using her number but also changed her registered email ID. He then carried out several transactions that resulted in a total loss of around ₹27 lakh for Bhatia. The police have filed a case under sections 318(4) (cheating) and 319 (2) (cheating by personation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act, and are actively investigating to apprehend the criminals involved.
Steps to avoid eSIM card frauds
The woman ignored several red flags, starting with an unusual WhatsApp call from a customer care executive, which is uncommon. To prevent eSIM fraud, it's crucial not to share OTPs or passwords over the phone. Only switch to eSIM after verifying the process on official sites or directly with telecom representatives. Additionally, confirm the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information. Always be wary of unsolicited calls/messages, especially from apps like WhatsApp. Regularly monitor bank accounts and report suspicious activity immediately.
