A Mangaluru hotelier has sounded the alarm over a scam targeting restaurants via UPI payments. Barkath Ahmed, owner of Royal Treat, shared his close call with fraudsters attempting to dupe him during peak business hours.
The scam began with a Hindi-speaking caller placing an order for five biryanis and five water bottles, totaling ₹1,760. After transferring ₹1 as a test, the fraudster falsely claimed to have mistakenly sent ₹11,760, requesting a refund of ₹10,000 via a QR code sent to WhatsApp.
Ahmed grew suspicious when he noticed inconsistencies in the payment notifications and verified his bank account, discovering no money had been credited. Confronting the caller, Ahmed refused to comply, prompting the scammer to disconnect the call.
This incident highlights an old yet evolving scam tactic. K. Venkatesh Murthy, senior director at the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), noted that while such frauds were rampant when UPI systems were newly introduced, increased awareness and banking security measures have reduced their prevalence.
Ahmed’s vigilance and decision to verify transactions through his bank account likely saved him from financial loss. His story serves as a reminder to remain cautious, especially during busy hours when distractions can make businesses vulnerable to scams.
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