Once again, a cyber fraud case has come to light in Gurugram, where a man lost ₹97,000 over a simple WhatsApp wedding invitation. A recent case registered at the Cyber Crime West Police Station highlights this growing threat.

Vinod Kumar, a resident of Vishnu Garden, told the police that he received a wedding invitation on WhatsApp from an unknown number on September 4. Curious to see whose invite it was, he clicked the link, unknowingly allowing hackers to access his phone and steal money from his account.

By the time he realized what had happened, three unauthorized transactions had been made, draining his bank account. Kumar immediately filed a complaint with the Gurugram police, who have registered a case and launched an investigation.

Authorities have warned that cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to trick people. They advise the public to stay alert and never click on links from unknown sources, no matter how convincing they seem. Opening such links can allow hackers to access personal information and bank accounts, leading to financial loss.

Similar case of cyber fraud

In another case, a Gurugram couple was scammed by a woman who posed as a talent scout for a reputed TV advertising agency. Identifying herself as Anjali, she approached the couple outside Ambience Mall, claiming she was recruiting children for television ad shoots. She targeted their six-year-old daughter, Pratiksha, and asked for photos and videos, promising that the child had been selected for multiple ads, including ones supposedly featuring celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Allu Arjun, and MSD’s daughter Jiiva.

Over several interactions, the woman convinced the parents to transfer money, first ₹32,000 for a portfolio album and later ₹1 lakh for a fake ad shoot. Once the fraud was discovered, the couple filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Unit East, which has begun investigating.

This incident is a stark warning for everyone. Have you received a wedding invitation on WhatsApp from an unknown number recently? Think twice before opening it. What may seem like a harmless invite from a friend could actually be a trap set by cybercriminals. Clicking such links can give hackers access to your bank account, allowing them to siphon off funds without your knowledge. Authorities have urged people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious messages or links immediately to prevent falling victim to such scams.