iPhone 14 scam: On Instagram, scammers use 'Bhai' trick to rob man; Check 3 apps to stay safe
India is facing a growing threat from cybercriminals who exploit virtual numbers with the +92 country code, often associated with Pakistan, to carry out fraudulent activities. Recently, a new online scam has emerged, where scammers impersonate the so-called 'Bhai' from Dubai, enticing unsuspecting individuals with promises of attractive rewards like a free iPhone 14. One such victim, Virag Doshi, a 24-year-old businessman from Ahmedabad, fell prey to this deceitful scheme.
It all began when Doshi received a message on his Instagram account, claiming he had won a free iPhone 14 from 'Bade Bhai and Chhote Bhai.' Eager to get his hands on the expensive device, he paid a small fee of ₹3,000 as instructed through UPI. Soon after, he received a call from a +92 country code number, with the caller posing as 'Bade Bhai' from Dubai, confirming the prize and claiming it was ready for delivery, TOI reported.
Elated by the news, Doshi eagerly waited for the arrival of the iPhone 14, but things took an alarming turn when someone called 'Sanjay Sharma' rang him up, asking for an additional ₹8,000 for the delivery. Naively trusting the scammers, he paid the amount, only to find that he never received the promised gifts.
A devastating discovery soon followed – Doshi's bank account had been debited by a staggering ₹6.76 lakh between April 18 and May 7. Unbeknownst to him, the scammers had emptied his account, leaving him devastated.
The Dhandhuka police inspector, P N Zinzuwadia, revealed that Doshi unknowingly transferred the money to the scammers himself, unaware of the large sums involved. The fraudsters utilised virtual numbers to carry out their deceitful acts.
This alarming trend of virtual number fraud is not limited to India alone but
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