Bengaluru: A 56-year-old homemaker lost Rs 98,000 to cyber fraudsters after attempting to obtain a refund for a damaged curd packet ordered through Blinkit. The scammers allegedly posed as customer care executives and tricked her into clicking a WhatsApp link, leading to the loss of money from her bank account.

The Central Cyber Crime Police Station has registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

The victim, identified as Soundarya (name changed), lives in an apartment on Palace Cross Road in Vasanth Nagar. She reportedly approached the police after realising that she had been cheated while trying to resolve a routine grocery delivery complaint.

Damaged curd packet leads to search for customer care number

According to the complaint, Soundarya ordered a packet of curd through Blinkit on October 17. When the delivery arrived, the packet was reportedly damaged.

She immediately informed the delivery agent about the problem. The agent advised her to contact customer care to seek a refund.

Soundarya subsequently searched online for Blinkit’s customer care number and called a number she found on the internet. The person who answered allegedly introduced himself as a customer care executive and assured her that he would help process the refund.

The caller then instructed her to follow a few steps to complete the process. Believing that she was speaking to a legitimate representative, the woman complied with his instructions.

WhatsApp link allegedly used to access account

The caller reportedly sent Soundarya a link through WhatsApp and asked her to upload a photograph of the damaged curd packet as proof of the complaint.

She followed the instructions and uploaded the picture. Soon afterwards, another man contacted her, claiming that the refund process was under way.

The second caller asked her to open her digital payment application and check her account balance. Soundarya trusted the caller and entered her password to access the account.

However, the payment application suddenly disappeared from her mobile phone screen. Shortly afterwards, she received a message indicating that Rs 98,000 had been debited from her bank account.

Realising that she had fallen victim to cyber fraud, the homemaker approached the police and lodged a complaint.

The incident highlights how cybercriminals can exploit routine customer service issues, including refund requests, to deceive unsuspecting consumers. Fraudsters may publish or circulate unofficial customer care numbers online and use fake links or calls to persuade victims to reveal sensitive information or grant access to their devices.

Police register case and begin probe

The Central Cyber Crime Police have taken up the case and are investigating the alleged fraud.

The incident also serves as a reminder to consumers to verify customer care contact details before making calls or sharing information online. Searching for a company’s support number through a general internet search can expose users to fraudulent numbers masquerading as official helplines.

Customers seeking refunds for damaged or missing items should preferably raise complaints through the help or support section of the relevant shopping application.

How to avoid customer care refund scams

Cybersecurity precautions can help reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent refund calls and malicious links.

  • Use official customer support channels: Raise complaints through the help section of the shopping application or the company’s verified website.
  • Avoid unverified phone numbers: Do not assume that a number appearing in search results is an authorised customer care contact.
  • Do not open suspicious links: Be cautious of WhatsApp and SMS links requesting photographs, personal details or banking information.
  • Never disclose banking credentials: Do not share passwords, PINs or one-time passwords with callers claiming to be customer care executives.
  • Be wary of refund procedures requiring account access: A refund request should not require you to reveal your banking password or provide remote access to your device.
  • Act immediately after a suspicious transaction: Contact your bank to report the transaction and seek assistance in securing the account.