New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has issued an alert about a new eSIM scam targeting mobile users.
I4C has said that the scam is extremely dangerous and allows criminals to steal money from bank accounts without requiring OTPs or ATM details. In a recent case, fraudsters used this method to withdraw Rs 4 lakh from a victim’s account.
Under this scam, the fraudsters first call the victim and send a fake eSIM activation link. When the victim clicks the link, their physical SIM automatically converts into an eSIM that can be used by the fraudster. The victim’s phone then loses its original SIM function, and network signals stop.
After this, the victim stops receiving calls and text messages. All messages and bank OTPs are redirected to the fraudsters’ eSIM. Using these OTPs, criminals can complete bank transactions and steal money without interference.
An eSIM or embedded SIM is a digital replacement of the small plastic card that we normally insert into a slot of our mobile phones. An eSIM gets embedded directly into the phone’s hardware, allowing greater convenience and flexibility.
I4C has advised users not to trust calls or links from unknown numbers. If someone wishes to switch to an eSIM, s/he should initiate the process through her/his telecom operator’s official channels.
“If your phone suddenly loses network signals, contact your bank and mobile service provider immediately,” the agency has said.
I4C, established under the MHA in January 2020, has its hands full with new methods to cheat people being developed nearly daily. With more people going in for digital transactions and the number of smartphone users growing exponentially, such scams are also increasing.