SIM Swap Scam: How Your Mobile Number Becomes Their Key

This write-up delves into a recent incident of SIM Swap, also known as a SIM card swap fraud or SIM hijacking, fraud that occurred in North Delhi. The victim, experienced financial losses after receiving three missed calls from an unknown number. Despite not sharing any personal information or OTP with the accused, her banking details were compromised, leading to unauthorized transactions. This incident, reported on October 18, highlights the severity of phone hacking scams and the need for enhanced security measures to protect individual's sensitive information.

History

On October 18, a lawyer based in North Delhi reported a case of SIM Swap fraud to the Delhi

Police's Cyber Cell. The victim had received three missed calls from an unfamiliar number,

leading to unauthorized transactions that resulted in significant financial losses.

Attack Method

The issue in this case is the SIM Swap fraud that led to unauthorized transactions and financial

losses for the victim.

In this SIM Swap fraud, the attacker managed to extract the victim's personal information and

banking details without her knowledge. Despite not sharing any crucial details, unauthorized

transactions were initiated.

The specific tools or methods employed by the fraudsters in this incident are not disclosed in the available information. However, the attacker may have employed phishing links, SMS messages, and other deceptive tactics to gain access to the victim's personal information.

The victim received three missed calls from an unknown number and later communicated with

the caller, who claimed to be a courier service. She inadvertently shared her house address,

which the fraudster seemingly used to compromise her banking details. Unauthorized

transactions were conducted without her consent.

The victim had an unusual browser history and received suspicious SMS messages containing

phishing links and an unexpected message regarding UPI registration. These techniques were used to compromise her personal information.

Impact

The impact of SIM Swap fraud can be significant, as demonstrated by the victim's loss of a

substantial amount of money. The emotional distress and financial repercussions can be severe for individuals who fall victim to such scams.

Detection

Detecting SIM Swap fraud can be challenging, as fraudsters often employ deceptive tactics.

However, individuals can stay vigilant by monitoring their bank statements, browser history, and SMS messages for any suspicious or unauthorized activities. Reporting any unusual occurrences to law enforcement is crucial in identifying and prosecuting fraudsters.

Recommendation

1. Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) with authentication apps or hardware tokens rather than relying on SMS-based 2FA.

2. Be cautious about sharing personal information online and through phone calls, especially with unsolicited callers.

3. Contact your mobile carrier immediately if you lose your phone or SIM card to prevent unauthorized SIM swaps.

4. Use a PIN or passcode to protect your mobile carrier account and your phone's SIM card.

5. Monitor your accounts and be vigilant for any unusual activity or unauthorized access.