Govt Employee Loses Rs. 2 Lakh, Falls Prey to a WhatsApp Wedding Invitation Scam

WhatsApp Scams in India are increasing rapidly. Fraudsters are using advanced techniques to execute these scams. One such incident recently occurred in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra. A fake wedding invitation was sent to a government employee through WhatsApp. 

The invitation appeared legitimate, prompting the employee to click on it. Once clicked, the scammers gained access to the employee’s bank details and stole Rs. 2 lakh. Here’s how the fraudsters executed this scam.

How Did the Wedding Invitation Scam Occur?

A WhatsApp e-wedding invitation was sent to the employee from an unknown number. The wedding invitation read, “Welcome. Shadi mein zarur aye. 30/08/2025. Love is the master key that opens the gate of happiness.” Assuming it was a real invitation, the government employee clicked on it, but the file was malicious and contained an Android Application Package (.apk) file.

Upon clicking the invitation, the file downloaded automatically, providing hackers with access to bank account details and other sensitive information. This is just one of several public incidents over the past few months. The victim registered his case in the Cyber Cell and at the police station. 

How to Stay Away from Such Cyberfrauds?

In a time like this, when digital fraud is rising and just a single click can result in a heavy loss of money, it has become imperative to stay alert against such fraud and adopt the following safety measures:

  • Avoid clicking on any file or invitation sent through any unknown number.
  • Add a layer of protection by using two-factor authentication (2FA).
  • To download any app, use only authorized platforms like Google Play Store or App Store. Prevent downloading apps from any random link.
  • If there is a slight suspicion that an unknown person is sending unwanted messages, instantly block and report them to WhatsApp.

This is how people can keep themselves safe from scammers. However, if the unknown malicious link has already been clicked, first uninstall the .apk file and inform the bank to prevent any unauthorized transactions. Then, change the passwords of all the important apps and report the number to the National Cybercrime portal by calling 1930.

Cybercrimes are proliferating and becoming more advanced. The WhatsApp wedding invitation fraud with a government employee in Maharashtra is just one incident that reached the surface. Thousands of scams like these happen daily. So, it is important to stay cautious against them and follow the above safety measures.