Pregnant woman from Odisha gets call for financial assistance scheme, loses Rs 17,000 in scam

A 25-year-old pregnant woman from Sradhapur village, Odisha, became the latest victim of a sophisticated online scam. The victim received a call from scammers posing as health department workers, who duped her for Rs 17,000 on the pretext that she was eligible for financial aid under a government scheme. What makes this scam more concerning is how the scammers managed to deceive the victim using the name of a well-known government scheme meant to support pregnant women and mothers.
According to a report by the Times of India, the scam began when the fraudster contacted a local ASHA worker in Sradhapur, who was familiar with the victim’s pregnancy. Posing as a health department official from Delhi, the scammer asked the ASHA worker for details about the victim to appear legitimate. The fraudster claimed the victim was eligible to receive funds from the Mamata scheme, a government financial assistance program aimed at supporting expecting mothers with healthcare costs.
To further prove their legitimacy, the scammer arranged a conference call with the victim, making it seem like official communication. During the call, the fraudster asked the victim if she had received the scheme’s funds and assured her that she would soon receive the first instalment of Rs 6,000. The victim, unaware of the impending scam, believed the caller’s story, especially as it referenced a genuine government scheme.
The fraudster then sent the victim a link, asking her to open it to claim the money. Trusting the process, the victim followed the instructions and shared a One-Time Password (OTP) with the caller, believing it was part of the verification process. However, instead of receiving Rs 6,000, Rs 17,000 was debited from her bank account within minutes.
Upon realising what had happened, the victim immediately reported the incident to the local police station in Lahunipada. This scam highlights the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly in rural areas where people may not be familiar with the latest technological developments or the methods employed by fraudsters. Victims are often targeted due to their vulnerability or lack of knowledge about digital financial transactions, making them easy prey for scammers.
How to stay safe
As scams like these become more frequent, vigilance is crucial. Not only should you be aware, but you should also inform those around you.
Always cross-check information with official sources. If someone claims to represent a government department or scheme, call the official helpline or visit the official website to verify their claims.
Never share OTPs. OTPs are meant to secure your financial transactions. Never share them with anyone, even if they claim to be from a legitimate organisation.
Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links sent via messages or emails, especially from unknown numbers. Fraudsters often use these links to access sensitive data or install malware on your device.