According to police, Brajesh came across a contact number on a medical website while looking for a doctor. When he dialed the number, an individual contacted him through WhatsApp, posing as a representative of a hospital’s appointment desk. The caller sent him a link to download an APK file named “Doctor Appointment App”, claiming it would help schedule a consultation quickly.
Trusting the source, Brajesh installed the application and entered his personal information. He was told that a small payment of ₹5 was needed to confirm the appointment. Moments after he made the payment, his mobile phone was hacked, and shortly afterward, ₹50,000 was withdrawn from his bank account without authorization.
Investigations revealed that the fake app gave fraudsters remote access to the victim’s phone, allowing them to transfer money and access sensitive data without triggering any security alerts.
Police officials warned that such scams are becoming increasingly common, particularly those exploiting the public’s trust in healthcare platforms. “Cybercriminals are now using fake hospital or doctor registration links to spread malware that compromises victims’ phones,” said a senior police officer. “Once infected, the device can be controlled remotely, enabling unauthorized financial transactions within minutes.”
Inspector Viresh Pal Giri of Shahganj Police Station confirmed that a case has been registered based on Brajesh Kumar’s complaint. The cybercrime unit has begun tracing the digital footprint of the fake website and the phone numbers involved. Authorities are also coordinating with the concerned bank to track the money trail and identify the accounts where the funds were transferred.
Police have urged citizens to avoid downloading APK files or clicking on unverified links, especially those shared via social media or messaging platforms. Instead, they recommend using official hospital websites or trusted healthcare apps for booking medical appointments.
Tags:
Cybercrime
