How will you react to a call, where the caller tells you that you have won a smartphone as a gift in one of their lucky draw?
Most of you won’t be able to wait to grab this offer. Right?
Great! your action would only help a scammer in fulfilling his evil operation.
A similar case happened with a Bengaluru techie who after receiving that gift lost ₹2.8 crores.
In today’s digital age, cybercriminals are using advanced tactics to steal money from unsuspecting victims.
One such rising fraud is the ‘Smartphone Gift Scam,’ where fraudsters send smartphones loaded with clone apps or hidden malware that steals banking details.
Let’s break down how this scam works, how to identify red flags, and how to protect yourself.
The ₹2.8 Crore Smartphone Scam – How It Happened
Recently, a tech professional from Bengaluru fell victim to this fraud. Here’s how the scam unfolded:
The victim, who is a 60-year-old techie, received a from a person who impersonated himself as a bank representative. On the call, he told a victim about the high-end smartphone that he had won as a promotional gift.
The scammer is convinced that there is no hidden cost and this is for the reward points he earned using his credit cards.
The victim was convinced and after a few days received a courier with bank branding and found a smartphone, as promised on the call.
Not aware of what was waiting for him, he started using the phone. It was only after a few days that he visited the bank and found that all his FDs worth ₹2.8 crores were liquidated.
In the beginning, he was not able to understand, what and how it happened. But later he found that the phone that he received as a gift contained hidden apps that gave access to the scammer.
The scammer then replaced the victim’s mobile number with his mobile number in the bank and through unauthorized access siphoned off all the FDs to his account.
This case is a wake-up call—scammers are constantly evolving, and anyone could be their next target.
How to Identify a Smartphone Gift Scam?
Now every scam gives red flags. It only requires a little effort and alertness to identify them. Here are some of the red flags that the victim missed to watch out for:
- Unsolicited gifts or contest wins – If you haven’t entered a giveaway, it’s likely a scam.
- Too good to be true offers – No company gives away expensive devices for free!
- Pre-installed apps on new devices – If you receive a new phone, reset it before use.
- Requests for personal or financial details – Never share OTPs, passwords, or banking details.
How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Fraud?
Now there is an old saying – ‘Prevention is better than cure’.
This statement holds importance in such cases where victims can prevent themselves from falling victim if they put a little effort in doing proper research and staying alert.
1. Reject Unsolicited Gifts – If you didn’t buy it, don’t accept it!
2. Factory Reset Any New Device – Wipe out any hidden malware before use.
3. Monitor Your Bank Accounts – Regularly check for unauthorized transactions.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Add an extra layer of security.
5. Report Suspicious Calls & Messages – If something feels off, report it immediately.
Be ready for the worst and take quick action to learn how to report online frauds in India.
Conclusion
Cybercriminals are using smart, sophisticated tricks to empty bank accounts.
The Smartphone Gift Scam is just one of many new-age frauds that prey on people’s trust.
Stay vigilant, informed, and cautious—because in the digital world, one wrong move can cost you millions!
