Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Cyber Department has successfully recovered ₹90 lakh that was lost in a whale phishing attack targeting a Bhiwandi-based travel agency. The swift action by Maharashtra Cyber prevented the money from reaching the hands of cybercriminals, saving the company from significant financial loss.
The scam unfolded when the company’s accountant received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, impersonating the firm’s owner. The cybercriminals claimed it was the owner’s new contact and demanded an urgent payment of ₹90 lakh for a fictitious business project. Trusting the fraudulent message, the accountant transferred the entire amount to the criminals’ account in a single transaction.
Realizing the deception, the company quickly reported the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in). Acting promptly, Maharashtra Cyber coordinated with banks and financial intermediaries, successfully freezing the entire fraudulent amount, preventing the criminals from withdrawing the money. The process of refunding the amount to the victim is currently underway.
The Maharashtra Cyber Headquarters, located in Mahape, Navi Mumbai, operates a 24×7 Command and Control Centre, staffed by over 100 skilled cyber analysts. The centre also runs two dedicated cyber helplines, Dial 1930 and Dial 1945, offering swift responses to cybercrime complaints. These helplines play a key role in setting legal procedures into motion and providing interim responses within 24 hours.
In the past 48 hours, Maharashtra Cyber has resolved five cases of cyber fraud, successfully freezing ₹1.475 crore in fraudulent transactions. This highlights the department’s efficiency in combating financial cybercrimes.
Maharashtra Cyber has urged citizens to remain cautious while conducting online transactions and verify sources before making payments. In case of cyber fraud, victims are advised to immediately Dial 1945 or report the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens’ hard-earned money and enhancing cybersecurity measures across the state.
