Pune-based Company falls prey to Phishing Scam loses INR 24 Lakh

A company based in Kothrud, Pune, became a victim of a phishing scam, and was robbed off INR 24 Lakh in the month of December, last year. The officials of the company unknowingly fall prey to the scam, as they thought that they are corresponding with the German company, whom they know and are doing regular business, over the email. As soon as the company discovered the fraud, an official of the company filed a complaint with Alankar Police. Unknown and unidentified number of fraudsters was booked by the Alankar police.

As per the police, the company is having its office in the Dahanukar Colony in Kothrud, which is located at the Western Suburb of Pune in Indian State of Maharashtra. The police also said that the Pune-based company is doing business regularly with the real German company from past many years. The Pune-based company purchases machinery from this German company, and sells them their products.

On December 18, 2018, the Kothrud-based company received an email and the address of that email closely resembled email ID of the real German company. The email claimed to have come from the Director of the German company, and the content of the email said that the German company wanted to purchase a few equipment and tools from India. In return, the German company also promised to pay the Kothrud firm a good amount in the form of commission in this deal.

Further, in the email, the Pune-based company was asked to transfer an amount of INR 24 Lakh to the company from where the equipment and tools were supposed to be procured. As per the instructions given in the email, the Kothrud firm transferred the amount. However, after transferring the amount when the Kothrud firm officials contacted the German counterparts, they were taken aback to know that neither there was any order from the German company nor they have sent email for any money transfer.

The initial investigation was carried out, and it was revealed that the address of the fake email was quite similar to the original email address of the German company. The hackers, however, changed certain numerical values and alphabets in order to fool the Pune-based company officials.

» SPAMfighter News - 2/1/2019