A click on pension card APK file costs elderly man in Bengaluru Rs 5 lakh

Bengaluru: An elderly person lost almost Rs 5.1 lakh after clicking on a fake “ICICI Pension Card” APK file sent through WhatsApp from an unknown number offering discounts on medicines and fuel.

According to the complaint filed by Pallavan, 72, (name changed), a resident of Seegehalli, on May 22, he received a WhatsApp message from the number 8780179502. The message contained a link promoting an “APPY ICICI Pension Card” claiming a 25 per cent discount on medicines, a 20 per cent discount on fuel, and no annual charges.

Trusting the message to be from the bank, Pallavan clicked on the link, following which an APK file was automatically downloaded onto his phone. Soon after, multiple OTPs began filling his inbox continuously.

Before he could realise what was happening, fraudulent transactions were allegedly carried out from his ICICI Bank account and linked credit card. Cybercriminals siphoned off Rs 7,604 and another Rs 4,98,913 in multiple transactions, taking the total loss to Rs 5,06,517.

According to police, the APK file contained malicious software that gained unauthorised access to the victim’s mobile phone, banking details, and OTPs.

A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 319(2) (cheating by personation) of the BNS. Investigation is ongoing to freeze the amount from the fraudsters’ accounts.

A senior officer warned people not to download APK files received through WhatsApp or unknown links, even if they appear to be related to banks, discounts, or govt schemes.