Man loses 8L in city's first mobile malware cyber fraud
Though the crime took place on July 20, the case was lodged only on Friday.
Cyber experts said mobile malware cyber fraud is often referred to as an APK (Android Package Kit) scam or remote access trojan (RAT) attack.
According to a complaint filed with the
Cyber Crime
Police Station, the victim received a call on his mobile on July 20 from an unknown number regarding Aadhaar card upgradation.
Subsequently, an APK file named "iMobile.apk" was sent on his WhatsApp, which he downloaded and installed.
Shortly after, the victim alleged that his mobile phone was hacked, enabling unauthorised access to his private savings account.
Using his debit card, five separate fraudulent transactions were carried out on the same day: Rs 1.99 lakh, Rs 1.99 lakh, Rs 1.98 lakh, Rs 1.50 lakh, and Rs 1.23 lakh.
The total siphoned amount stands at Rs 8.70 lakh.
The victim also lodged a complaint via the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).
Former IPS and cyber expert Triveni Singh said: "Once the victim unknowingly installs the app, it silently grants the attacker remote access to the phone—allowing them to read SMS, intercept OTPs, monitor screen activity, and operate banking apps."
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Singh said these APKs look harmless but contain embedded code that compromises mobile devices.
"They are capable of stealing debit/credit card data, reading SMS and OTPs, recording your screen activity, accessing internet banking apps, and sometimes even locking your phone," he said.
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