In today’s world, millions of Indians are relying on UPI for their daily payments were left frustrated on Sunday evening as the service faced widespread disruptions. From small shop transactions to big-ticket transfers, users across the country reported failures and glitches, sparking a wave of complaints and memes on social media.
What is eSIM fraud?
eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital alternative to physical SIM cards, installed via software on your smartphone. It offers all the same functions as a physical SIM- calls, messages, and data. However, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit it.
If a fraudster manages to convert your physical SIM into an eSIM without your consent, they can receive bank OTPs and authentication codes, gaining full access to your financial accounts.
The Mumbai incident: How Rs 4 lakh disappeared
A Mumbai resident recently fell victim to this scam. The sequence was chillingly quick:
- The victim received a call from an unknown number.
- Within 15 minutes, his phone lost network connection.
- By the time he blocked his ATM card, UPI, and informed the bank, ₹4 lakh had already been withdrawn.
The cyber thugs achieved this by sending a link, which the victim accidentally clicked. That link initiated the process of converting his SIM into an eSIM controlled by the fraudsters.
How the scam works
Once the SIM is switched to eSIM, the fraudster’s device gets all your calls and OTPs. Unlike regular SIM swap scams, where SMS is blocked temporarily, here, criminals can still receive OTPs via calls, making the fraud faster and harder to detect.
Prevention tips: Protect yourself from eSIM fraud
- Do not click on suspicious links sent via SMS or email.
- Ignore calls from unknown numbers asking for SIM or eSIM verification.
- Never share personal or banking details over the phone or message.
- Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Immediately report any sudden loss of network to your telecom provider.