'Welcome, Shadi mein zarur aye' message turns deadly as man loses Rs 2 lakh on WhatsApp 

What seemed like a warm wedding invitation turned into a costly cyber fraud for a government employee from Maharashtra’s Hingoli district. The victim reportedly lost nearly Rs 2 lakh after falling prey to a malicious link disguised as a wedding invitation on WhatsApp.

How the Scam Unfolded

According to reports, the employee received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, inviting them to a wedding scheduled for August 30, 2025. The message, written in a friendly tone, read:

“Welcome. Shadi mein zarur aye (Do come to the wedding). 30/08/2025. Love is the master key that opens the gate of happiness.”

Attached below the text was what appeared to be a PDF wedding card. However, the file was actually an APK (Android Application Package), a harmful file capable of breaching the victim’s phone security.

Money Vanishes in Minutes

Unaware of the threat, the employee clicked on the file, unknowingly giving cybercriminals remote access to sensitive phone data. Soon after, a staggering Rs 1.9 lakh was siphoned off from the victim’s bank account.

A case has been registered at the Hingoli Police Station and forwarded to the cybercrime cell for investigation, officials confirmed.

A Growing Cyber Threat

This incident serves as a serious reminder of the growing menace of cyber fraud in India. Authorities urge citizens to avoid clicking on links or files from unknown numbers, especially files with APK extensions, and to verify every message before interacting.

Digital convenience comes with digital risks. A moment of caution can prevent a lifetime of regret.