Bollywood actor Aftab Shivdasani has become the latest high-profile victim of cyber fraud, losing a substantial sum of Rs 1.50 lakh to scammers. The incident unfolded when Shivdasani received a deceptive text message, purportedly from a leading private sector bank, requesting him to update his Know Your Customer (KYC) details. Falling prey to the fraudulent message, the actor unwittingly clicked on the provided link, resulting in the unauthorized deduction of his funds.
The distressing incident occurred on Sunday, with Aftab Shivdasani promptly taking action by contacting the bank’s branch manager on Monday. Following the manager’s counsel, the actor lodged a formal complaint with the Bandra police station.
An official from the Bandra police station revealed, “The actor received a message from a mobile number unknown to him. In the message, he was instructed to update his KYC details linked to the bank, failing which his account would be suspended. Aftab Shivdasani clicked on the link mentioned in the message. As he followed the instructions, he received a message that Rs 1,49,999 was debited from his account.”
Law enforcement swiftly responded to the complaint, registering a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 420, which pertains to cheating, and sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act. An ongoing investigation is currently underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind this fraudulent act.
Aftab Shivdasani, known for his appearances in Bollywood films such as ‘Mast,’ ‘Masti,’ and ‘Hungama,’ is now facing the financial repercussions of this cybercrime. His unfortunate experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution in the digital age, highlighting the need for increased awareness of cybersecurity among the general public.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are committed to tracking down those responsible for this cybercrime, with hopes of preventing similar incidents in the future.