A government employee hailing from Hingoli, Maharashtra has lost Rs 1.9 lakh after accessing a bogus wedding invitation received via WhatsApp.

Scam Starts With WhatsApp Message
The complainant received a message on WhatsApp from an unknown number.
The message was an invitation to a wedding taking place on August 30, 2025.
It read, “Welcome. Shadi mein zarur aaye. Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness.”
Below the message, there was a file that resembled a PDF wedding invitation.

Malware Hidden In Wedding Invite
The file was not a PDF at all. It was actually an APK (short for Android Packet Kit) file, a pioneering application file for androids.
APK files have the ability to install applications against user requests on phones.
The fraudulent file, which was disguised as a wedding invitation, was actually malware programmed to siphon off sensitive phone data.
The complainant did this without any knowledge of the impending danger.

Cyber criminals steal bank details
When the complainant opened the file, hackers had complete control of the phone.
The hackers began following the victim’s phone usage.
Shortly after that, the criminals used their stolen information to rob the complainant of Rs 1,90,000 from his bank account.
The complainant later made a complaint at the Hingoli police station and informed the cyber cell!

Scam Has Resurfaced
This scam is not new, and was first identified last year as many people lost money in similar scenarios.
Cybercriminals continue to use APK files disguised as wedding invitations.
Once someone opens the file, they are installed malware onto their phone.
The hackers can track calls, messages, and online banking.

Scammers Impersonate Victims to Continue the Fraud
After stealing funds, the hackers typically impersonate the victim for continued fraud.
They message the victim’s contacts for urgent funds.
This causes additional loss and causes panic for family and friends.

Police Had Previously Issued Warning
Cyber police in Himachal Pradesh had previously warned last year about such scams. They had advised people not to download files from unknown sources. They said wedding invites should come from known contacts only.

Be Safe From Such Scams
Do not click unknown WhatsApp links or files, or any other links that you are sent, especially APKS. Confirm the wedding invite with the sender on a different communication platform and before clicking on any files. Have antivirus on your phone and ensure it is up to date. Use unique passwords and two-factor verification for banking apps.

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