In yet another digital scam, a 27-year-old man from Bandra became the victim of a fake iPhone gift scam that cost him ₹1.80 lakh.
The man reported a case of phishing & unauthorised transactions. Scroll down to know how the scam was operated.
How the Scam Unfolded
On March 16, the victim placed an order for sunscreen on Dr. Sheth’s website. He received the product on March 18.
Just two days later, on March 20, he received a call from someone claiming to be from the Sales & Promotion department of Dr. Sheth’s.
The caller congratulated him, stating that he had won an iPhone 15 as a special gift.
To claim the prize, the victim was asked to pay a refundable amount of ₹13,990 as processing charges and an additional ₹5,000 as a coupon fee.
Believing the caller to be legitimate, the victim transferred the money. However, the fraudster falsely claimed that the amount had not been received and insisted on another transfer.
Things took a darker turn when, on March 21, the victim tried to call back for a refund but got no response.
Soon after, he noticed unauthorized transactions from his bank account totaling ₹75,000, pushing his overall loss to ₹1.80 lakh.
Understanding the Scam Type
This scam falls under the category of phishing and social engineering fraud. In such scams, fraudsters impersonate legitimate entities and manipulate victims to transfer money or share sensitive financial details.
The scam exploits two key psychological triggers:
- Excitement Over Free Rewards – The idea of winning an expensive gadget like an iPhone 15 creates excitement. This lowers doubt and makes victims more likely to fall for the scam.
- Trust in Familiar Brands – The fraudster leveraged a known brand, Dr. Sheth’s, to appear credible. This made victim trust the offer.
How to Report Such Scams?
Scams like these highlight the importance of staying vigilant in the digital world.
Fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics, making it crucial for consumers to stay informed and cautious.
The next time you receive a call about a free iPhone or any other unbelievable offer, pause, verify, and protect yourself from falling into the trap.
However, if you or anyone known to you has already fallen victim to any such scam or other cyber fraud, then act quickly and register with us. Our team will contact you and assist you in filing a case.
Remember, more quicker you act, the higher the chances to get recovery of recovering losses.
