Fake tractor offer used to scam former bank borrowers

Fake tractor offer used to scam former bank borrowers

KARACHI: A new scam is targeting landowners who previously obtained loans from the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), with fraudsters promising them free tractors in exchange for personal information and verification codes.

According to details, callers posing as female officers of a company contact former borrowers from different mobile numbers. They claim that the recipients qualify for a free tractor because of their previous loans and offer to arrange an online booking at no cost.

During the call, the fraudsters keep the victim engaged while pretending to process the tractor booking. They then send a verification code to the victim’s mobile phone and ask them to share or enter it as part of the supposed booking process.

Once the victim provides the code, the scammers gain access to the victim’s WhatsApp account on another device. They then use the victim’s contact list to send messages to friends, relatives and other contacts, often pretending to be the account holder and requesting money.

People familiar with the scam say fraudsters previously relied mainly on male callers, but they have now started using women with convincing and professional-sounding voices to make the scheme appear more credible.

Victims and citizens also allege that such groups operate through wider networks and obtain information about bank customers, including details of people who previously took loans. The availability of such information allows scammers to approach their targets with specific details, making the fake offers appear genuine.

Cybersecurity experts generally advise people never to share WhatsApp verification codes, one-time passwords or banking information with callers, even if they claim to represent a bank, government department or private company.

Citizens who receive suspicious calls offering free tractors, cash benefits or other schemes should verify the offer directly through the concerned institution’s official contact channels instead of relying on the number provided by the caller.