A significant cybercrime incident has emerged in Mangaluru, where a fraudster gained unauthorized access to the WhatsApp account of the vice-chancellor of a local deemed-to-be university. This breach allowed the perpetrator to send deceptive messages to the vice-chancellor’s contacts, soliciting monetary donations.
According to the victim’s complaint filed with the Cyber Economic and Narcotic (CEN) Crime police, the fraud unfolded on Monday when the vice-chancellor received a phone call from someone claiming to be an executive at a courier company. The caller shared a suspicious link containing a 10-digit number, instructing the vice-chancellor to dial it to speak with a courier boy regarding the delivery of an item. When the link was activated, hackers promptly accessed the vice-chancellor’s WhatsApp and began sending messages to his contacts, demanding money.
After realizing the breach, the vice-chancellor took immediate measures to secure his account and subsequently reported the incident to the CEN. This type of scam is increasingly prevalent and highlights the risks associated with digital communication platforms.
The incident is not isolated. Just days earlier, on Saturday, the principal of a pre-university college reported a similar fraudulent episode. In that case, two friends of the principal were duped into transferring ₹45,000 each to the fraudster after receiving convincing messages from the scammers.
These incidents underscores a troubling trend of cybercrime in the region, prompting authorities to urge vigilance among users of messaging platforms. It is crucial for individuals to remain wary of unsolicited calls and messages, especially those requesting sensitive information or financial assistance.
Cybersecurity experts recommend confirming the identity of any caller or message sender before taking action. Additionally, users are advised to enable two-factor authentication on their WhatsApp accounts and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
As the CEN investigates these cases, the local community is reminded to stay alert and report any similar suspicious activities immediately. With cyber threats on the rise, proactive measures are essential to protect personal information and financial security.
In conclusion, this recent fraud incident involving high-profile individuals illustrates the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and practices among all users of digital communication tools. The escalating nature of such scams calls for a collective effort to mitigate risks associated with online interactions.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/fraudster-hacks-whatsapp-account-of-v-c-of-deemed-university/article69839450.ece
Category : Mangaluru
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-07-21 21:02:00
