Man duped of Rs 2 lakh via fake WhatsApp wedding invite
When victim downloaded and opened the file, cybercriminals gained access to sensitive info. leading to a loss of around Rs 1.9 lakh
PTC Web Desk: A government employee from Maharashtra’s Hingoli district reportedly lost nearly Rs 2 lakh after becoming a victim of a cyber fraud carried out through a fake wedding invitation sent on WhatsApp.
According to reports, the victim received a message from an unknown number carrying a digital wedding invite for August 30. The text read: “Welcome. Shaadi mein zarur aaiye (Do come to the wedding). 30/08/2025. Love is the master key that opens the gate of happiness.”
Beneath the message was a file resembling a PDF invitation card, which was, in fact, a disguised APK (Android Application Package) designed to hack into the user’s phone. Once the victim downloaded and opened the file, cybercriminals gained access to sensitive information, leading to a loss of around Rs 1.9 lakh.
The police said a case has been registered at the Hingoli police station and the matter has been referred to the cyber cell for investigation.
In a separate case, the Maharashtra Police cracked a cyber fraud racket in Thane with the arrest of seven suspects from Goa, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Investigations revealed that the group was cheating job seekers by misusing their bank accounts and SIM cards. Victims were promised employment opportunities, after which the accused allegedly opened bank accounts in their names and seized their passbooks, ATM cards, and SIM-linked mobile numbers. These details were then forwarded to Goa for use in online fraud.
“The gang duped at least 80 job aspirants using the same modus operandi, said the police. The scam came to light when one victim enquired with his bank and discovered his account had been misused for illegal transactions.
The police said further investigation is underway to trace other accomplices and victims.