Gurugram Man Loses ₹97,000 After Clicking Fake WhatsApp Wedding Invite; Another Couple Duped in TV Ad Scam
A seemingly harmless wedding invitation received on WhatsApp turned into a costly mistake for a Gurugram resident, who lost nearly ₹97,000 after unknowingly allowing hackers access to his bank account.
The incident came to light after Vinod Kumar, a resident of Vishnu Garden, filed a complaint at the Cyber Crime (West) Police Station. Kumar told the police that on September 4, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number containing a wedding invitation link. Curious to see whose wedding it was, he clicked on the link — a move that proved disastrous.
Unbeknownst to him, the link allowed cybercriminals to infiltrate his phone, enabling them to make three unauthorized transactions from his bank account, totalling nearly ₹97,000. By the time he realised what had happened, the money was gone. The police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the matter.
Authorities have urged the public to be cautious about clicking on links from unknown numbers, even if they appear to be harmless or familiar. Officials warned that such links often contain malware that can compromise personal data, passwords, and bank account information. “Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to trap people. One must stay alert and never open suspicious links or share personal details,” a police officer said.
Couple Duped of Over ₹1 Lakh in Fake TV Ad Scam
In a separate incident, another cyber fraud surfaced in Gurugram, where a couple lost over ₹1 lakh after being conned by a woman posing as a talent scout for a reputed television advertising agency.
The accused, identified as Anjali, approached the couple outside a restaurant at Ambience Mall, claiming she was recruiting children for upcoming TV commercials. She took interest in the couple’s six-year-old daughter, Pratiksha, and later requested photos and videos, assuring them that the child had been shortlisted for several ads — allegedly featuring celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Allu Arjun, and MS Dhoni’s daughter Ziva.
Over multiple conversations, Anjali convinced the couple to transfer money — first ₹32,000 for a “portfolio shoot” and then another ₹1 lakh for a “commercial ad shoot.” When the couple stopped hearing from her, they realised they had been duped and filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime (East) Unit, which has initiated an investigation.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Both cases underline the rising sophistication of cyber scams in Gurugram and across India. Police have advised citizens to remain vigilant, avoid clicking on unknown links or sharing personal and financial details, and immediately report suspicious messages or transactions to cybercrime helplines.
“People should treat every unsolicited link or offer with suspicion — whether it’s a wedding invite, job opportunity, or modeling offer,” an official added.
