It’s wedding season in India, and in the digital age, digital invitations have become the new way to send wedding invites to friends and family. However, one should be very cautious, as these invites could bring ruin and not happiness. Cybercriminals have made the wedding season their new target, hacking into people's bank accounts through a dangerous '.apk' file. Such reports are emerging daily from various parts of the country, including Delhi-NCR. Gurugram Police have urged people to stay alert against such scams.
How are scammers targeting wedding invites?
Cybercriminals are targeting people by sending files with the '.apk' extension under the guise of digital wedding cards or invitation apps. '.apk' (Android Package Kit) is a file format for installing Android apps. Once someone downloads and installs this suspicious file, thinking it is an invitation app, the fraudsters gain remote access to their phone. Gurugram Cyber Crime ACP Priyanshu Dewan said that in cases like this, cyber fraudsters are able to see every activity of your mobile sitting far away, and without sharing any OTP or information, they can hack your bank account in minutes.
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NDTV quoted Priyanshu Dewan, ACP Cyber Gurugram, as saying: “Please do not download or click on any hyperlinks (blue links) or APK files purporting to be wedding cards, banks, or insurance agencies. Doing so could make you a victim of cyber fraud. Do not download any APK or Android files from WhatsApp, the internet, or anywhere else."
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Why are unknown .APK files dangerous?
Unknown .APK files downloaded from sources other than the Google Play Store or Apple Store pose a serious security threat. These files are often infected with malware or viruses that can harm your device, steal data, or display unwanted ads. They can expose sensitive information like your gallery, documents, contacts, SMS, and location to hackers without your permission. Some dangerous apps, like the ones used in this scam, gain complete control over your phone, allowing them to easily access your banking apps and OTPs and commit financial fraud. People often download APKs from Google or other unreliable sources under the guise of free software or games, which can also harm their personal data and finances.
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