Maharashtra Cyber Recovers ₹90 Lakh Lost in 'Whale Phishing Attack'

Mar 29 / Nayanika
In a commendable effort, Maharashtra's Cyber Department has successfully frozen ₹90 lakh stolen from a travel agency in Bhiwandi after cybercriminals executed a sophisticated whale phishing attack. Impersonating the agency's owner on WhatsApp, these fraudsters tricked the accountant into transferring the sum by claiming it was an urgent payment for a business project. The scam came to light only when the company realized the owner had made no such request.

🚨 Thanks to the timely reporting of the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, the Cyber Department collaborated with financial institutions to block the transaction and prevent the funds from reaching the criminals. The recovery process to return the amount to the victim is already underway.


In just the last 48 hours, Maharashtra Cyber has tackled five cyber fraud cases, freezing a total of ₹1.475 crore in illicit transactions. This success comes as part of the state's broader Maharashtra Cyber Security Project, which features a 24x7 Command and Control Centre in Navi Mumbai staffed by over 100 cyber analysts. Additionally, the state operates dedicated cyber fraud helplines — Dial 1930 and Dial 1945 — to assist victims.


💡 A Crucial Reminder for All: Always verify sources before making financial transactions, and promptly report any cyber fraud through designated helplines or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Vigilance and swift action can make all the difference in combating the growing threat of cybercrime.


Let’s amplify awareness about cyber fraud prevention and celebrate the efforts of law enforcement agencies in securing digital transactions.


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