Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar says criminals can use malicious software to access phones and drain accounts without an OTP or a link being clicked.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has warned residents about a WhatsApp-based banking fraud that can hit victims even when they do not share a one-time password or click a link. According to local reports, the scam begins with a message sent from an unknown or overseas number claiming money has been debited from a bank account. A second message then asks the recipient to reply “NO” if the payment was not authorised.
Sajjanar said the danger lies in replying at all. Police described the tactic as an “auto execution file attack”, warning that even a simple response could expose a phone to malicious software and give criminals access to the device. In one recent case cited by the commissioner, a chartered accountant lost lakhs of rupees after falling victim to the method, underscoring how quickly the fraud can drain accounts once malware is triggered.
The advice from police is blunt: do not reply to WhatsApp messages about bank transactions from unknown numbers, whether they ask for “YES” or “NO”. Instead, users should block the sender and delete the message. If a debit alert looks suspicious, the safer response is to check the account through the bank’s official app or net-banking portal, or to call the customer-care number printed on the passbook or bank card. Banks do not ask customers to verify transactions through WhatsApp replies.
Anyone who has lost money should contact the national cybercrime helpline on 1930 immediately or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in. Authorities say reporting the fraud within the first hour can improve the chances of stopping the transfer and freezing the funds. Sajjanar has repeatedly urged residents to stay alert after a series of scams in which fraudsters have used messaging apps and fake offers to target unsuspecting users.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
