An Instagram user has shared a video narrating her horrifying experience of updating KYC online. She thought that it would be so easy to update KYC online in just a few clicks but unfortunately, she fell victim to cyber fraud.
The woman named Akanksha Thakral recently shared a worrying experience on social media, warning her followers about a phone scam. Her viral video on Instagram has gained millions of views so far.
She has a bank account in Axis Bank and received a call to update her KYC. She first said No to the scammer and said that she would Bank branch and update her KYC. In the evening, again scammer called her and asked her to update KYC Online as she had not visited the branch.
At this point, she fell victim to the scam. She received a link on WhatsApp to update KYC. As soon as she clicked on the link, she lost lacs of rupees in just 10 minutes. Watch the video of what the woman said and let’s understand how this scam happened.
How did the scam happen?
This scam was done via a technology called SMS phishing. SMS Phishing, also known as Smishing (a combination of “SMS” and “phishing”), is a type of cyber fraud where scammers send fake text messages to trick you into:
- Clicking a malicious link
- Sharing personal or financial information
- Downloading harmful software
How SMS Phishing Works?
- You receive an SMS pretending to be from a trusted source (like your bank, a government agency, or even a delivery company).
- The message often contains a sense of urgency (e.g., “Your account will be blocked”, “You’ve won a prize”, “Click this link to avoid penalty”).
- It usually asks you to click on a link or call a phone number.
- Once you do that, the attacker may:
- Steal your bank login details
- Install malware on your phone
- Access sensitive personal data
“Dear customer, your bank account is temporarily blocked. Click here to verify your KYC: [fake link]”
How to Stay Safe:
- Do not click on suspicious links.
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or banking details via SMS.
- Verify the sender by contacting your bank or institution directly using official contact details.
- Enable spam filters and install anti-virus software on your phone.
- Report suspicious messages to the cybercrime portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) or use 1930 (cyber fraud helpline in India).
