Chemist Loses Rs 1.18 Lakh in WhatsApp APK Fraud Over Fake Delivery Tracking Link
Mangaluru: A 38-year-old senior chemist working at a company in Mangaluru allegedly lost Rs 1,18,707 in an online fraud after clicking on a malicious Android Package Kit (APK) link sent through WhatsApp under the pretext of tracking a chemical holder ordered for his company.
According to the complaint filed with the Mangaluru CEN Crime police station, the chemist had ordered a chemical holder from GAIL India's Khanpur facility on October 1, 2026. On October 5, he received a link to an APK file on his WhatsApp number from two unknown mobile numbers. Believing that the link contained tracking information about the delivery of the chemical holder, he clicked on it.
Following this, an application opened on his mobile phone, prompting him to enter his name and credit card details. Believing that the application was associated with a legitimate delivery-tracking service, the chemist provided the requested information.
Subsequently, multiple transactions were carried out, resulting in a total of Rs 1,18,707 being transferred from his credit card to an account belonging to an unidentified person. The complainant alleged that the accused deceived him by using a fake delivery-tracking link to obtain his personal and credit card details and fraudulently transfer the money online.
According to a recent media report in The Times of India, the incident involved the use of a malicious APK link disguised as a delivery-tracking message, which led the complainant to disclose his financial information.
Deccan Herald, reports that the Mangaluru CEN Crime police have registered a case in connection with the incident.
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