A woman named Bhargavi Mani recently fell victim to a sophisticated scam at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, losing over Rs 87,000 while attempting to access the airport lounge before her flight. The incident occurred on September 29, and Mani has since shared her experience in a now-viral video on social media, warning others about the dangers of financial fraud in public spaces, reports Indian Express.
According to Mani, the scam unfolded when she tried to enter the airport lounge without her physical credit card. Showing a photo of her card to the lounge staff, she was directed to download an app called “Lounge Pass” and complete a facial recognition process, allegedly for security purposes. Trusting the instructions, she complied, but this, she claims, gave the scammers access to her personal information.
Further investigation revealed that scammers had made fraudulent charges exceeding Rs 87,000 to Mani’s credit card, transferring the money to a PhonePe account. Mani believes that the “Lounge Pass” app was used by the criminals to infiltrate her phone, redirect calls, and intercept One-Time Passwords (OTPs), enabling unauthorised transactions.
Despite the financial loss, Mani made it clear in a follow-up video that she does not hold Kempegowda International Airport or its authorities responsible for the scam. She said airport officials had contacted her and were assisting her in resolving the issue. Mani has since reported the incident to the cybercrime department, blocked her credit card, and alerted her bank to prevent further fraudulent transactions.
In her viral video, Mani urged fellow travellers to exercise caution when using their credit cards in public spaces and to be vigilant about the apps they download. “This scam occurred inside the Bengaluru International Airport, to a person using an iPhone, which I regarded as scam-proof. Safeguard your hard-earned money, folks!” echoed a social media user who reshared her video, expressing shock at the incident.
Mani’s story serves as a stark reminder of the growing sophistication of digital scams and the importance of being cautious while handling sensitive financial information, even in seemingly secure locations like airports.