A fake Airtel Payments Bank app is being distributed via WhatsApp, tricking users into revealing personal information. Here's how to protect yourself.
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In Short:
- Incident: Financial journalist Devid receives a suspicious APK file named "Airtel payment bank_1.0_en.APK" from an unknown WhatsApp number.
- Fake Details: The sender uses Airtel’s logo and name but is not affiliated with Airtel.
- Purpose: The scam aims to steal money or personal information.
On 19th July at 9:18 PM, Devid, a financial journalist from Truth Times India, received a strange APK file on WhatsApp. The file was named "Airtel payment bank_1.0_en.APK" and was sent from the number "+91 78580 06731" which had Airtel's logo and name as the profile picture. Interestingly, Devid has no connection with Airtel Payments Bank and uses a JIO postpaid SIM, indicating the scam targets random numbers, not Airtel's user database.
Devid called the number, which had a professional-sounding caller tune. The scammer, posing as Airtel support, asked for the last digits of Devid’s number and attempted to guide him through logging into the fake app. Devid played along without installing the APK. When he asked where the scammer was located, the reply was Mumbai. Upon further questioning, the scammer used abusive language and hung up.
As per Truth Time India's research, this scam has been operating for a long time, but nobody has seen any strict action taken against them.
Safety Tips:
- Check for the green tick on WhatsApp: Verify if the sender is a verified business account.
- Stay Updated: Follow news on online scams and frauds.
- Be Smart: Do not follow instructions from unknown contacts.
- Do Not Download Unknown Files: Avoid downloading APKs or clicking on links from unknown sources.
Request from Truth Times India to Airtel India:
1. Take legal action against the scam number.
2. Enhance the security of the Airtel app.
3. Raise awareness among users.
4. Ban the scam number immediately.