No OTP required: Beware! Cyber fraudsters now scam people by seeking help in malls & metro stations

No OTP required anymore, as cyber fraudsters have devised a new tactic — asking for help in public places like malls, metro stations, markets, or bus stands, sources said on Thursday.

Also Read: Cyber fraud on the rise in Odisha: Rs 125 crore lost, 6,368 cases registered, 1,388 arrested in 3 Years

Under the guise of needing assistance with a phone, scammers are now executing what experts call an AI biometric identity scam. Without asking for OTPs or sending suspicious links, they quietly steal biometric data.

Well-dressed individuals approach unsuspecting people and request help with tasks like checking pensions or operating a phone. Unknown to the helper, the fraudster’s device is already on video call or screen recording mode.

In the process of assisting, the targeted persons unknowingly expose their fingerprints, voice samples, and facial data. This stolen information is then used to create a digital clone using AI.

Within less than 30 minutes, the cybercriminals can apply for online loans or initiate credit withdrawals in the victim’s name. By the time a bank notice arrives, the victim may already be burdened with massive debt.

Cyber experts warn that elderly individuals, youth, and kind-hearted people are primary targets.

To stay safe, avoid handling strangers’ phones, do not read anything aloud for them, and immediately disconnect unknown video calls. Even a brief interaction can lead to serious identity theft and financial loss.

“If someone is seeking your help in public places or rush areas, you must avoid extending any help. This is because the person seeking your help could be a scammer. Do not even hand over your mobile phone to anyone else. If you do so for just two minutes, your phone may be hacked,” cyber expert Prashant Sahu said to OTV.

“In case an unknown person approaches you to handle his/her phone, think before being kind-hearted. Taking advantage of your helping nature, the person may steal your biometric identity and put you into trouble later,” the cyber expert expressed.

Reported By: OTV Bureau, Arun Kumar Sahu