A growing wave of eSIM fraud is leaving many people vulnerable, with a recent case in Mumbai showing just how quickly it can drain bank accounts.
Millions of Indians who depend on UPI for daily payments were already frustrated on Sunday evening as the service faced widespread disruptions. Transactions failed across the country, from small purchases to large transfers, sparking a flood of complaints and jokes online.
An eSIM or Embedded SIM is a digital version of a traditional SIM card that is installed through software on a smartphone. It works the same way as a physical SIM, allowing calls, messages, and internet use. However, cybercriminals have found ways to misuse it.
If scammers manage to switch a person’s physical SIM to an eSIM without permission, they can receive bank OTPs and authentication codes, giving them full access to financial accounts.
In the Mumbai incident, the victim received a call from an unknown number. Within 15 minutes, his phone lost network service. By the time he blocked his ATM card and UPI and alerted his bank, Rs 4 lakh had already been stolen. The fraudsters had sent him a link, which he unknowingly clicked. That single click triggered the conversion of his SIM to an eSIM controlled by the criminals.
Once the SIM is switched, all calls and OTPs are redirected to the fraudster’s device. Unlike regular SIM swap scams where SMS is blocked temporarily, eSIM fraud allows criminals to receive OTPs through calls, making the theft faster and harder to detect.
How to protect yourself from eSIM fraud:
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links sent by SMS or email.
• Ignore calls from unknown numbers asking about SIM or eSIM verification.
• Never share personal or banking details over the phone or in messages.
• Use multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Report sudden loss of network to your telecom provider immediately.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
