Fraudsters evolve new trick: Replace QR codes

A new method of online fraud has emerged in Madhya Pradesh where fraudsters replaced QR codes pasted outside several shops and establishments during the night to divert the payments meant for shopkeepers into their own accounts. The incident, which was caught on CCTV cameras, is now under police investigation.

According to police, QR codes at nearly half a dozen shops, including petrol pumps, in the Khajuraho region of Chhatarpur district were swapped with fraudulent ones overnight. In some cases, the new QR codes are pasted directly over the original ones. The fraud came to light when shopkeepers opened their stores in the morning and noticed that they were not receiving payments made by customers.

One of the incidents involved a medical store, where owner Omvati Gupta averted a major fraud through her alertness. According to Gupta, a customer pointed out that the QR code being scanned displayed a different name, 'Chhotu Tiwari', instead of the store's name.

Acting quickly, Gupta replaced the fraudulent QR code and reviewed her CCTV footage, which showed three masked men replacing the code late at night. Gupta's action helped prevent further losses and alerted other shopkeepers in the area.

A similar incident occurred at a petrol pump where employees discovered that a new QR code had been pasted over the original one. According to a staff member, customers reported payments not being credited to the business's account. Upon inspection, they found the fraudulent QR code with the name 'Chhotu Tiwari'. Although they removed the code, no official complaint has been lodged yet.

Khajuraho Police Station In-Charge Atul Dixit confirmed that the matter has come to their attention, although no formal complaints have been filed by the shopkeepers yet. "We are investigating the issue, and the culprits will be caught soon," Dixit said. Meanwhile, authorities have urged businesses to regularly inspect their QR codes and report any suspicious activities.