There have been demands that Google should not allow unverified posting of mobile contacts by suspects claiming to be representatives of big firms. | Photo Credit: Representative Image

Key Highlights Mumbai man cheated of Rs 96,000 while buying liquor online Victim became a target of phishing when he searched a mobile contact on Google and called on it Police say they have filed a case and are seeking details of suspected mobile number

Mumbai: Despite strengthened laws, strict cyber-surveillance, there seems to be no fear of law among online cheats. In yet another case of cyber fraud, a Mumbai man lost Rs 96,000 after he gave away his one-time passwords (OTPs).

The victim is said to be a director in a financial firm in India's business capital.

According to a report in The Times of India, the police have registered a case of cyder fraud and are probing the case. The 50-year-old victim gave away his OTPs while he was trying to buy wine online.

The Breach Candy resident was duped when he searched a mobile number online and called on it to order liquor online. According to the police, the incident took place on the intervening night of November 29 and 30.

The man later approached the police with a complaint that the said amount was deducted from his bank account while he was transacting online.

"We have registered a case of fraud and are seeking information regarding the mobile number of the accused and bank account details where the money was transferred," said a police officer from Gamdevsi police station.

Recently, there have been numerous phishing incidents where fraudsters post their mobile contacts on Google pretending to be customer care centres of big firms and corporations. The victims then call on these numbers and get cheated.

There have been demands that Google should not allow unverified posting of mobile contacts by suspects claiming to be representatives of big firms.



In a similar incident this week in Bengaluru, a techie got cheated of Rs one lakh when a man claiming to be from the Indian Army offered to sell his bike on a website. The accused asked the victim to make an online payment and later switched off his mobile phone when it was time to make delivery of the motorbike.

The website had reportedly even warned the victim about the suspect in advance, but he ignored the messages and suffered the losses.