The Kolkata Police Cyber Cellrecovered the entire Rs 25.6 lakh that was lost by a firm due to an innovative email and WhatsApp fraud. The initial case was registered on Jan 27, and the recovery was made within the next two weeks.
The company has now written to the commissioner of police, Manoj Verma, to express their gratitude for the probe, stating how cases of cyber fraud through WhatsApp were increasing, creating significant challenges for businesses.
Cybercriminals had earlier successfully defrauded this company of Rs 25.6 lakh through an email and WhatApp spoofing attack by impersonating representatives of Sugan Engineering, cops reported on Monday. The fraudsters allegedly hacked the email and WhatApp account of an association company and sent fraudulent payment instructions to the victim company. The email and WhatsApp directed the transfer of funds to a specific bank account.
"The complainant company, believing the communication to be genuine, transferred the requested amount. The fraud came to light only after the transaction was completed," said a senior officer. The police had registered a case under relevant sections of the IT Act and NRS.