Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 9: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a woman from Andheri West lost Rs 99,000 after making a seemingly harmless payment of just Rs 9 to a fake online cleaning service.

The victim, a diabetes educator, was looking for a cleaning service for her office when she came across a company named "Urban Club" online. Soon after, she received a call from a man claiming to be a representative of the company, who asked her to download a mobile application.

After installing the app, she was asked to make two payments Rs 600 and Rs 9 via UPI. It was after the Rs 9 transaction that cybercriminals allegedly gained remote access to her phone and banking credentials.

The fraud came to light when she visited her bank the following day and discovered that Rs 99,000 had been withdrawn from her account without her knowledge. She promptly lodged a complaint at the Oshiwara Police Station. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Calling it a ‘new way of cheating,’ Mumbai Police said fraudsters are now tricking users into making nominal payments to gain full access to their devices and banking information.

Authorities have urged citizens to stay vigilant. “Never download apps or click on links from unknown sources. Avoid sharing OTPs or banking details with anyone. Download apps only from official websites or app stores. Even minor transactions can be dangerous,” the Cyber Cell warned.

For suspicious calls or links, the public is advised to immediately contact the nearest police station or dial the cyber helpline 1930.