A member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Pakistan fell victim to a scam on Sunday.
Syed Amir Ali Shah, representing Bahawalpur’s PP-250 constituency, received a fraudulent phone call claiming that development projects in his area had been approved. The caller then urged him to make an immediate payment to secure the funds. Believing the call was legitimate, MPA Shah transferred over Rs. 631,000 online as instructed.
Syed Amir Ali Shah reported the crime shortly after it occurred. Police in Uch Sharif are investigating the scam that targeted the politician.
The incident highlights the growing threat of online fraud, which often uses convincing methods to trick even savvy individuals. Authorities are working to identify and apprehend the scammers emphasizing the need for vigilance to prevent similar cases in the future.
Speaking of online scams, a common SMS scam has resurfaced lately, claiming that your “ATM card” has been disabled by the State Bank of Pakistan due to non-verification. The scam SMS then asks you to contact a phone number to recover your debit/credit card.
Keep in mind that this fraudulent SMS comes from a personal mobile number rather than an official bank source. It also tells you to contact a mobile number instead of an authentic bank helpline. Furthermore, you can check whether your debit/credit card is working through your banking app or by drawing money from any ATM nearby.