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Indore Student Cyber ​​Fraud: In the digital age, cybercriminals are constantly devising new methods to defraud people. In Indore, a college student fell victim to a scam involving a refund after ordering a water bottle online. The fraudsters not only drained her bank account but also hacked her mobile phone and blackmailed her.

Indore Student Cyber ​​Fraud: In today’s digital era, a moment of carelessness can make us easy targets for cybercriminals. A shocking and alarming case of this nature has emerged from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Here, a college student fell prey to a massive and terrifying cyber fraud simply while trying to order a water bottle online. Fraudsters first hacked her mobile phone under the pretext of a refund and later extorted approximately ₹3 lakh by threatening to circulate obscene photos and videos.

How did this entire scam unfold?

According to the police, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Khajrana police station in Indore.

Order Placed via Instagram: On May 11, the student ordered two water bottles from an Instagram page named ‘Sof Quk India’ and made an online payment for them.
The Refund Ruse: Shortly after placing the order, the student received a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed that the order had been cancelled due to technical reasons. When the student asked for a refund, the fraudster stated that such a small amount could not be refunded directly and that a specific link-based process had to be completed.

Phone Hacked Upon Clicking the Link

The student was misled by the stranger and clicked on a UPI link sent via WhatsApp or text message. As soon as she clicked the link, the fraudsters remotely hacked her entire mobile phone using malware. This hack gave the accused full access to the student’s phone gallery, personal photos, videos, and other sensitive private information.

First Extortion Demand of ₹30,000

Subsequently, on May 20, the student received another threatening call. This time, the caller claimed to possess some objectionable and private photos of her. He threatened to make them viral on social media if she did not pay immediately. Fearing social stigma, the student transferred ₹30,000 to the fraudster’s UPI account without informing anyone.

₹3 Lakh Fraud Revealed While Paying College Fees

The student discovered the full extent of the fraud on June 9, when she went to pay her college semester fees. Upon attempting the payment, she found that there were no funds in her account. Panicked, she contacted the bank and obtained a statement, only to be shocked by the findings. Fraudsters had drained a total of ₹2.99 lakh from her account through multiple transactions facilitated by mobile hacking.

Case Registered with Police and Cyber ​​Cell

Realizing the magnitude of the fraud, the victim immediately lodged a written complaint with the Cyber ​​Crime Branch and the Khajrana police station. Amarendra Singh, DCP (Zone-2, Indore), stated that a case has been registered against unknown accused persons under various sections related to fraud and the IT Act. The cyber crime team is meticulously investigating the mobile numbers, bank accounts, and digital transaction IDs (UPI IDs) used in this fraud and blackmailing scheme.

What Lessons Should Readers Learn from This Incident?

• Avoid Unknown Links: Never use unknown links or QR codes to claim a refund for a cancelled order from any e-commerce site or social media page. Refunds are always processed via the same mode used for the original payment.
• Beware of Customer Care Fraud: Do not mistake random numbers found on Google or social media for official customer care numbers. Report blackmail immediately: If someone tries to intimidate you using your photos, do not pay out of fear; instead, immediately file a complaint with the National Cyber ​​Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or at the nearest police station.