A new and alarming form of online fraud has surfaced in Madhya Pradesh, specifically in the Khajuraho region of Chhatarpur district, where fraudsters have ingeniously replaced legitimate QR codes on several shopfronts with fraudulent ones. These fraudulent QR codes were strategically pasted over the original ones during the night, allowing the scammers to divert payments meant for shopkeepers into their own accounts. This deceptive act, which went unnoticed by shopkeepers initially, was caught on CCTV cameras, and the matter is now being actively investigated by local authorities.
The fraudulent activity affected several businesses, including petrol pumps and medical stores, with nearly half a dozen shops falling victim to this scheme. In some cases, the fraudulent QR codes were pasted directly over the original ones, making it nearly impossible for the shopkeepers to detect the scam at first glance. The fraud became apparent only when shopkeepers, upon opening their stores in the morning, noticed that payments made by customers were not reflecting in their accounts. This raised alarms, prompting affected business owners to take immediate action.
One of the most fortunate businesses to avoid major financial losses was a medical store owned by Omvati Gupta. Gupta's vigilance and quick thinking prevented her from becoming a victim of a large-scale scam. A customer pointed out that when they scanned the store’s QR code, it led to a different name, 'Chhotu Tiwari,' instead of the store’s name. Realizing something was amiss, Gupta immediately replaced the fraudulent QR code with the original one and reviewed her store's CCTV footage. The footage showed three masked individuals replacing the QR code late at night. Gupta’s proactive response not only saved her from a potential financial loss but also alerted other shopkeepers in the area about the growing scam.
A similar incident occurred at a petrol pump, where employees noticed that a new QR code had been pasted over the original one. Customers began reporting that payments they made were not credited to the business’s account, prompting an investigation. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fraudulent QR code displayed the name 'Chhotu Tiwari.' Although the fraudulent code was removed, no formal complaint has been filed by the petrol pump yet, indicating a possible reluctance among the affected businesses to pursue legal action.
Another affected business was that of Nitesh Gupta, who owns a store in Narayana Market. He reported a loss of Rs 985 and Rs 10 due to the fraudulent QR code replacement outside his shop. In addition to Gupta’s store, several other local businesses, including a popular biryani and egg shop and a pawn shop, were affected by this fraudulent scheme. These incidents have raised concerns among local business owners about the security and reliability of QR code-based payment systems.
Atul Dixit, the In-Charge of Khajuraho Police Station, confirmed that the authorities are investigating the matter thoroughly. Despite no formal complaints having been filed by the affected shopkeepers as of yet, Dixit assured the public that the police are taking the issue seriously. "We are investigating the issue, and the culprits will be caught soon," Dixit said in an official statement. However, the lack of formal complaints from the affected businesses has raised questions about the willingness of some shopkeepers to report such crimes, possibly due to fear of reputational damage or uncertainty about the legal process.
In response to the growing number of fraudulent activities targeting local businesses, authorities have issued an advisory urging all business owners to remain vigilant and to regularly inspect their QR codes for any signs of tampering. Shopkeepers have been advised to ensure that the QR codes they display are securely fixed and to report any suspicious activities to the police immediately. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of cyber fraud, especially in the digital payment ecosystem, where small businesses are often vulnerable to such scams.
This emerging scam highlights not only the risks associated with digital payments but also the ingenuity of criminals in exploiting technological systems. As more businesses rely on QR codes for transactions, the need for heightened awareness and security measures has never been greater. The police are intensifying their investigation, and it is hoped that the perpetrators of this scam will be apprehended soon to prevent further incidents from occurring in the region.
