In a concerning development, cybercriminals have exploited WhatsApp to defraud two Mumbai-based firms of a combined ₹1.6 crore. The fraudsters cloned the display pictures (DPs) of company directors and impersonated them using new WhatsApp numbers to deceive employees into transferring funds.
In the first case, a pharma company employee was tricked into transferring ₹1.3 crore after receiving a WhatsApp message from a number displaying the director’s cloned DP. The fraudster claimed to be in a meeting and urgently requested the funds for a business deal. The scam was uncovered when the employee called the director on his official number, only to learn that no such request had been made. Quick action by the employee and the cyber helpline led to the recovery of ₹18.1 lakh.
In the second case, an accountant of a private firm transferred ₹30 lakh after receiving a similar fraudulent message. The scammer, posing as the director, requested funds for a project. Suspicion arose when the fraudster asked for additional money from the accountant’s personal account, prompting her to verify the request with the actual director.
These incidents highlight the growing sophistication of cyber fraud and the need for robust verification protocols. Authorities have urged businesses to educate employees about such scams and to verify financial requests through official communication channels.
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