Brief Summary
This video discusses common cybercrime tactics and how to avoid them. It emphasizes that 60% of cybercrimes can be prevented by understanding basic financial principles and recognizing psychological manipulation techniques used by criminals. The speaker shares real-life examples of scams involving OTPs, WhatsApp hacking, and fraudulent transactions, highlighting the importance of awareness and caution.
- Never take any action when you are getting money.
- Enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp.
- Be aware of psychological manipulation techniques.
Introduction
The speaker introduces the topic of cybercrime and how to prevent it by understanding common mistakes people make. He humorously notes that simply advising people not to share OTPs is insufficient because criminals have developed sophisticated methods to obtain them without directly asking for them.
The Lemon Tree Hotel Scam
The speaker recounts a story of a friend who was scammed while trying to book a hotel near the Delhi airport. The friend searched for hotels on Google, clicked on the first link he found (which turned out to be fraudulent), and called the number provided. The scammer, posing as a hotel representative, initially offered a room for ₹1600. The scammer then asked for card details (but not OTP) to make the payment. After the friend provided the card details, he received an OTP for ₹1600, which he shared with the scammer. The scammer claimed not to have received the payment and asked for a screenshot of the alert. After sending the screenshot, the friend was asked to transfer ₹1 to "push" the initial ₹1600 payment through, and then was sent an OTP for ₹16000. The friend realized the scam only after sending the screenshot of the OTP.
WhatsApp Hacking via Call Forwarding
The speaker describes a method used to hack WhatsApp accounts, particularly targeting doctors in Gurgaon. The scam involves calling the victim and claiming to have a courier that requires a code to be dialed for confirmation. This code is actually a call forwarding code that redirects the victim's calls to the scammer's number. As a result, the scammer receives OTPs sent via call, allowing them to access the victim's WhatsApp account. To prevent this, the speaker recommends enabling two-factor authentication on WhatsApp with a unique six-digit code and an associated email ID for recovery.
Call Merging Technique
The speaker explains the call merging technique, where a victim receives a call from someone claiming to be a mutual acquaintance, who then asks the victim to merge the call with another incoming call. This second call is actually a request for an OTP, and by merging the calls, the scammer can listen to the OTP and use it to hack the victim's accounts. The speaker emphasizes that no QR codes or links are involved in this method, making it harder to detect.
Google Meet Screen Sharing Scam
The speaker shares a story about a Chief Information Security Officer who fell victim to a scam while trying to book a cheap taxi in Mumbai. The victim searched on Google and found a website that required a ₹100 transfer to get the driver's details. When the online transfer failed, the scammer offered to help via a Google Meet session. During the screen sharing session, the scammer guided the victim through a ₹1 transfer, using the opportunity to steal his financial details and OTP, resulting in a loss of ₹15,000. The scammer then tried to convince the victim to join another Google Meet session to "resolve" the issue, highlighting their audacity and manipulative tactics.
The ₹1 and ₹10 Transfer Traps
The speaker warns against transferring small amounts like ₹1 or ₹10 when requested, as it can be a trap. He mentions a case where the daughter of a Chief Minister lost ₹35,000 through a similar scam. The speaker emphasizes that these scams exploit people's trust and willingness to help, making it crucial to be cautious even with seemingly insignificant transactions.
The Army Man Sofa Scam
The speaker describes a scam where someone selling a sofa online is contacted by a person posing as an army man. The scammer sends fake IDs and offers to pay an advance, creating a sense of trust. They then send a link for ₹10,000, claiming it's an advance payment, but clicking the link results in money being deducted from the seller's account. The scammer uses repeated apologies and emotional manipulation, even simulating a child crying, to further deceive the victim and extract more money through additional fake links for larger amounts.
The Thumb Rule of Financial System
The speaker reveals the fundamental rule of the financial system that people often overlook: if money is coming into your account, you don't need to take any action. He emphasizes that providing details or clicking links is only necessary when you are sending money, not receiving it. By understanding this basic principle, individuals can prevent a significant portion of cybercrimes.
Real-Life Examples and Conclusion
The speaker shares an anecdote about creating a video to demonstrate this principle, where he sent a link to a friend, RJ Rank, resulting in ₹200 being credited to Rank's account without him needing to do anything. Despite this, a friend who heads an IT company lost ₹45,000 in an OLX fraud by scanning a QR code, highlighting that people often deviate from the core message and fall for variations of the scam. The speaker concludes by reiterating the importance of understanding basic principles and recognizing psychological manipulation to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.
