The caller suggested Saket contact them back using a number they provided, stating that his own calls weren’t getting through. Trusting their urgency, Saket asked for the number. They gave him a string that started with “star two,” followed by a series of digits and concluded with a hash sign.
Curious, Saket dialed the number they provided. To his surprise, it was invalid. Just moments later, he received an unsettling notification that he had been logged out of his WhatsApp account. It all started to click—he had made a grave mistake by calling that number.
Realization and Panic
In the next few minutes, Saket realized something alarming: his WhatsApp account had likely been compromised. He contacted a few friends and asked them to try calling his number, but they were unable to reach him. The horror set in as he understood that his account was hacked, and he needed to act fast.
He rushed home, hoping to log out of his account from his laptop. But by the time he got there, he discovered that he had already been logged out from all devices. Confused and panicked, he immediately reached out to the police for guidance. They informed him that his call forwarding had been activated without his consent, enabling the hacker to gain access to his account. The police were incredibly helpful and assisted him in stopping the call forwarding, giving him some peace of mind.
The Extent of the Fraud
After Saket’s account was compromised, the hacker began messaging his contacts, asking for money—ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000—claiming they were in urgent need. Some of these messages were sent to at least 30 to 35 people in his contact list, creating a sense of panic and urgency.
To prevent further damage, Saket quickly sent out a warning message through another device, informing his friends not to respond to any requests for money. He also deactivated his Facebook account as an additional security measure. However, despite his efforts to regain access to his WhatsApp account, he was unable to log in. The hacker had activated two-step verification, preventing him from using his own number to recover the account.
Contacting WhatsApp Support
In desperation, Saket contacted WhatsApp support to explain his situation. Unfortunately, their response was disheartening. They informed him that their policy does not allow them to disclose the identity of the device or the location of the individual who accessed his account from another device. Furthermore, he would be unable to log back into his account for seven days due to the two-step verification process that had been activated by the hacker.
Lessons Learned
It took Saket until October 7 to regain access to his WhatsApp account due to the two-step verification security feature being activated by the hacker. This incident made him realize how sophisticated such scams can be. The hacker’s approach was particularly clever; on that day, he was expecting a delivery, which made him more likely to trust the caller.
Saket has shared his harrowing experience on The Lallantop YouTube Channel to raise awareness about these scams and educate others on how to protect themselves.
Here are some crucial lessons learned from this experience:
- Always Verify: If someone reaches out for money online or claims to be in distress, take a moment to verify their identity. Call them back using a known number instead of relying on the number they provide.
- Be Cautious of Urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to cloud your judgment. Take your time to assess the situation before reacting.
- Enable Two-Step Verification: Always activate two-step verification for your messaging apps. This adds an extra layer of security to your account and can help prevent unauthorized access.
- Educate Others: Share your experiences with friends and family to help them recognize and avoid similar scams.
Final Thoughts
Cyber fraud is an unfortunate reality in our digital age, and anyone can fall victim to it. The hacker exploited Saket’s moment of distraction and trust, highlighting the need for heightened awareness.
If you receive a call or message asking for money, especially in an urgent tone, verify it through direct communication with the person involved. Staying informed and cautious can help you protect yourself from becoming a victim of such scams.
If you find yourself in a similar situation or need assistance, you can contact the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 for reporting cybercrime and financial fraud. Additionally, visit the website https://cybercrime.gov.in/ for further guidance and support.
Thank you for reading this cautionary tale. I hope it serves as a reminder for all.
