Bollywood Star Aftab Shivdasani Became A Victim in a ₹1.5 Lakh Cyber KYC Scam.
Bollywood Star Aftab Shivdasani Became A Victim in a ₹1.5 Lakh Cyber KYC Scam.
Mumbai: In the contemporary era of technological advancements, the issue of cyber fraud is increasingly gaining attention and posing a significant challenge in prominent urban centers such as Mumbai and Bengaluru. In a recent incident, Aftab Shivdasani, a well-known Bollywood actor, became a victim of a cyber fraud where he suffered a significant financial loss of ₹1.50 lakh. This unfortunate event occurred when he fell victim to a text message scam that deceived him into updating his Know Your Customer (KYC) information.
The occurrence took place on a Sunday when Aftab received an unwanted message from an unfamiliar mobile number. The electronic communication claimed to be from his financial institution, urgently requesting him to promptly update his Know Your Customer (KYC) information. In response to the perceived risk of account suspension, the actor promptly engaged with the hyperlink embedded within the message and proceeded to adhere to the accompanying instructions.
To his disappointment, a subsequent notification informed him that a sum of ₹1,49,999 had been deducted from his account. Shivdasani, perturbed by the fraudulent activity, incorporated the aforementioned particulars in his formal report to the police, thereby illuminating the escalating level of expertise exhibited by cyber offenders.
Upon becoming aware of the fraudulent activity on the first day of the week, the individual expeditiously reached out to the management of the financial institution and filed an official report with the law enforcement authorities. A case was officially registered by the authorities, citing the relevant parts of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), particularly section 420 pertaining to cheating, as well as the applicable portions of the Information Technology (IT) Act. The ongoing inquiry into this alarming instance of cybercrime is presently underway.
The Rising Trend of Targeting Celebrities
Aftab Shivdasani’s experience with cyber fraud is not an isolated incident within the realm of celebrity encounters with such criminal activities. Ayesha Shroff, the spouse of Jackie Shroff, was also subjected to targeting, resulting in the allegation of a substantial financial loss amounting to ₹58 lakh. This concerning phenomenon beyond the realm of Bollywood, as exemplified by a notable occurrence in the previous year involving actor Annu Kapoor, who fell victim to a fraudulent scheme amounting to ₹4 lakh, which was perpetrated under the guise of Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols.
In light of the ongoing evolution of the digital landscape, it is crucial for individuals, particularly celebrities and public figures, to practice prudence and attentiveness in order to safeguard themselves from fraudulent schemes. Please remain engaged as the ongoing investigation into this cybercrime continues to reveal the necessity for strengthened cybersecurity protocols in order to safeguard persons from being victims of fraudulent schemes.
About The Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blog, he’s also written for brands including CollegeDunia, Utsav Fashion, and NASSCOM. Naager entered the field of content in an unusual way. He began his career as an insurance sales executive, where he developed an interest in simplifying difficult concepts. He also combines this interest with a love of narrative, which makes him a good writer in the cybersecurity field. In the bottom line, he frequently writes for Craw Security.
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