Delhi businesswoman loses nearly Rs 1 lakh after an automated call from food delivery app

A 26-year-old businesswoman from south Delhi fell victim to a cyber fraud scheme involving a food delivery app, losing nearly Rs 1 lakh from her bank account. The incident sheds light on the growing sophistication of cyber crimes and the need for vigilance among app users.

Uncovering the Scam
The victim received an automated call purportedly from a food delivery platform, which led to the deduction of Rs 97,000 from her Lazy Pay account linked with the app. Promptly reporting the incident to the local cyber cell, she initiated the unraveling of an elaborate scam.


Police Action
DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan revealed that the cyber cell identified and arrested the culprits, Aniket Kalra and Himanshu, residents of Gurgaon. The police recovered two cellphones, three SIM cards, nine credit and debit cards, and a fake Aadhaar Card from the accused, indicating a well-organized operation.

In a TOI report, DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan said, "We have recovered two cellphones, including the one used in this crime and three SIM cards besides nine credit and debit cards and a fake Aadhaar Card from the accused."

Modus Operandi
The criminals used interactive voice responses (IVR) to trick victims into divulging account information. They then exploited this information to transfer money from the victims' accounts to order items from the app. The duo avoided suspicion by using random addresses for delivery in Gurgaon.

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Insight into the Operation

An analysis of the criminals' activities revealed that they were part of a larger network. They purchased grocery items at discounted rates and sold them in local markets, maximizing profits. The gang was also involved in a Telegram channel where they learned to use IVR technology to extract crucial information from unsuspecting victims.

The arrest of these cyber criminals highlights the importance of staying vigilant against online frauds. Users of food delivery apps and other online platforms are advised to be cautious and report any suspicious activity immediately. The swift action by the Delhi Police in this case serves as a deterrent to potential cyber criminals, sending a strong message that such activities will not be tolerated.