GUWAHATI: A Guwahati-based business owner was allegedly impersonated by a fraudster recently, who used his name and WhatsApp display picture to instruct an employee to transfer ₹10 lakh through RTGS, officials said.
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The incident was reported through the cyber crime helpline 1930, following which the Assam Police Cyber Crime Branch initiated action to trace the transaction.
According to sources in the CID, the fraudster contacted the manager of a Guwahati-based distribution company through WhatsApp and allegedly posed as the owner of the business. The accused then instructed the manager to transfer ₹10 lakh to a specified bank account.
Believing the message to be genuine, the manager carried out the transaction, resulting in a reported financial loss of ₹10 lakh.
Following the complaint, the coordinated efforts of the 1930 cyber crime helpline and the Assam Police helped trace the transferred amount. The entire ₹10 lakh was subsequently put on hold, officials said.
The incident has highlighted the growing use of “boss scams”, in which fraudsters impersonate business owners or senior officials and use messaging platforms to instruct employees to make financial transactions.
The Cyber Crime Branch has advised business owners and employees to independently verify any financial instruction received through WhatsApp or other messaging platforms before transferring money. People have also been urged to confirm the identity of the person issuing the instruction through a direct phone call or another trusted communication channel.
Police have advised victims of financial cyber fraud to immediately call the cyber crime helpline 1930 or report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Cybercriminals are increasingly using different methods, including digital arrest scams, OTP fraud, fake APK files, investment scams and UPI or QR code frauds. Police have stressed that immediate reporting can help authorities trace and place fraudulent transactions on hold.