Hyderabad: A 75-year-old senior citizen from Habsiguda lost ₹1.09 lakh after he responded to a fake DMart offer promoted on Facebook. Police said the post claimed that household products were being sold for ₹298. Because the offer looked attractive, he filled in basic details on the link. Soon after, an unknown caller contacted him and sent an APK file through WhatsApp while asking him to pay ₹298 to finalise the purchase.
The senior citizen opened the file and used his credit card to make the payment. Within minutes, cybercriminals gained control of his phone through the APK installation. They then executed a series of unauthorised transactions and withdrew ₹1.09 lakh. The victim later approached the Cyber Crime Police and complained about the fraudulent activity.
Police urge senior citizen users to avoid APK-linked deals
Police warned that cybercriminals were circulating unrealistic offers across social media platforms to lure unsuspecting users. They said APK files enable criminals to access devices and extract financial information. Officers urged people to stay alert, avoid clicking external download links, and verify offers before engaging. They added that immediate reporting helps investigators track digital theft networks.