Chennai: With the growing second wave of the pandemic and lock downs in various parts of the country, there has been a massive increase in online transactions.
Unfortunately, there has also been a corresponding increase in cyber fraud and leading telecos too are no exception.
According to Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal, the fraudster, claiming to be from Airtel, calls or sends an SMS to the customer regarding an incomplete Know Your Customer (KYC) form. He/she requests the customer to install the ‘Airtel Quick Support’ app from the Google Play store to allow him to help.
Since no such app exists on the play store, when the customer tries to install it, he/she is redirected to TeamViewer Quick Support App. The TeamViewer Quick Support app allows the fraudster to remotely take over the device and accounts associated with the device. And so, if the customer does install it, they allow the fraudster into all their accounts connected to the device.
The fraudster calls or sends an SMS to the customer claiming to be from Airtel and promises highly discounted VIP numbers. As a part of the transaction, the fraudster requests a prepayment as a token / booking amount. Post receiving these funds, the fraudster ceases all contact with the person and becomes untraceable.