WhatsApp scam
Ahmedabad: A cyberfraudster allegedly hacked a factory accountant’s mobile phone, created a WhatsApp account using the owner’s photograph and duped him into transferring Rs 80 lakh to a bank account in a suspected business payment scam. During the conversation, Jayesh told Ramvani that he had received a WhatsApp message purportedly from him, asking him to arrange Rs 80 lakh for a payment. He also revealed that he had already transferred Rs 80 lakh as instructed. On checking the accountant’s phone, they found that a file had been installed on Aug 31. Trusting the messages, Jayesh transferred Rs 80 lakh from the factory account to the specified bank account.
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Ramvani told police he had neither sent the message nor authorised the transaction. Fraudster allegedly gained access to Jayesh’s WhatsApp, deleted Ramvani’s original contact and saved another number under his name, according to the complaint. When Jayesh showed him the chat, the WhatsApp profile displayed Ramvani’s photograph but was linked to an unknown mobile number. Ramvani suspected the phone was compromised after the file was accessed. Using Ramvani’s photograph, the accused then impersonated him and sent payment instructions. The duo realised the fraud after discussing the transaction and contacted the cybercrime helpline. Police are now tracing the unknown WhatsApp number and the beneficiary account while investigating how the phone was compromised. Download the TOI App.
The fraud came to light on Thursday when Sanand-based businessman Pradip Ramvani visited his rice mill at Madhavnagar and met his accountant, Jayesh.