Bengaluru director made a Rs 34 payment mistake, then his account started draining until nearly Rs 74,000 vanished

A 56-year-old company director from Bengaluru ended up losing around Rs 74,000 after getting caught in an online scam involving a fake “bank rewards” link, as reported by TOI. The scammer pulled a classic trick, sending a message saying it was the “last day to redeem rewards,” creating urgency so the victim wouldn’t think twice before clicking.

How the Bengaluru online scam unfolded

Here’s how it played out: Around 6 pm on April 15, the man (let’s call him Naveen) got a call and a message from an unknown number. The message had a shady link, actually an APK file, asking him to pick a gift and pay a small processing fee of Rs 34.

Thinking it was legit (which is easy to believe since banks do send reward notifications all the time), he went ahead and made the payment using his credit card. And that’s when things went downhill.

Rs 73,889 debited within minutes

Within minutes of completing the transaction, Naveen received an alert that Rs 73,889 had been debited from his credit card without his authorisation.

Realising he had been scammed, he immediately contacted his bank. Officials confirmed that his credit card details had been compromised, and the account was swiftly frozen to prevent further losses.

Victim reports fraud via cybercrime helpline

Acting quickly, Naveen dialled the national cybercrime helpline (1930) and registered a complaint.

Authorities say timely reporting can significantly improve the chances of blocking fraudulent transactions, though recovery is not always guaranteed.

Cybercriminals using ‘reward points’ bait to trap victims

As highlighted by TOI, cyber fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics. Fake reward points redemption messages, especially those claiming urgency like “last chance” or “expiry today”, have become a common phishing method.

These scams often trick users into:

• Clicking malicious links
• Downloading harmful APK files
• Entering sensitive banking or card details
• How to stay safe from reward points scams

Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious while dealing with unsolicited bank messages, suspicious links, and unknown callers. Here are some key precautions:

Avoid clicking on unknown links

Never click on links from unverified numbers, especially APK files or shortened URLs claiming rewards or cashback.

Do not share card or OTP details

Banks never ask for confidential information like OTPs, CVV numbers, or PINs via calls or messages.

Verify offers directly with your bank
If you receive a reward-related message, check it through your bank’s official app or website instead of clicking external links.

Watch for urgency tactics
Messages claiming “last day”, “limited time”, or “urgent action required” are often red flags.

Report fraud immediately
If you suspect fraud, call 1930 or report it on the official cybercrime portal without delay.

Rising cyber fraud cases in Bengaluru and across India
This case adds to the growing number of online scams in Bengaluru and across India, where fraudsters are targeting individuals through phishing links, fake banking alerts, and reward point scams.

With digital transactions becoming more common, experts warn that cyber awareness is now as important as financial literacy.


Inputs from TOI