Albion Retiree Loses Rs 1.2 Million in WhatsApp Bank Scam
A 66-year-old woman from Albion was tricked by a fake banker on WhatsApp into sharing her account details, losing over Rs 1.2 million to fraudsters.
A 66-year-old retiree from Albion, a coastal village on the west coast of Mauritius, lost more than Rs 1.2 million in a sophisticated phone scam on Wednesday 21 October, after being deceived by a fraudster posing as a bank official.
The woman was at home when she received a WhatsApp call from a man claiming to represent a bank. He told her that a suspicious transaction had been made on a digital platform using her name and account details, and that he needed her cooperation to cancel the fraudulent operation.
Convinced by the caller's story, the retiree provided her banking credentials. The scammer then used those details to transfer the funds before she could act.
After the call, the woman had doubts about what had just happened. She checked her account balance and discovered that over Rs 1.2 million had already been transferred to a bank account based in South Africa. She filed a complaint with the police the following day.
This type of fraud is commonly known as a vishing attack, short for voice phishing. Criminals pose as trusted figures such as bank managers, police officers or government officials and create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into handing over sensitive financial information. WhatsApp calls are increasingly used because they appear more credible and are harder to trace than standard phone calls.
Mauritius has seen a rise in such scams in recent years, often targeting older residents who may be less familiar with digital fraud tactics. Funds transferred abroad, particularly to accounts in South Africa, are extremely difficult to recover once the transaction is complete.
What this means: If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from your bank, whether on WhatsApp or any other platform, do not share your account number, PIN, password or one-time code under any circumstances. Legitimate banks will never ask for this information over the phone. Hang up and call your bank directly using the number printed on your card or on the official bank website. If you believe you have been targeted, report it to the Mauritius Police Force immediately and contact your bank to freeze your account.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I receive a suspicious WhatsApp call from someone claiming to be my bank in Mauritius?β
Do not share any account details, PINs or passwords. Hang up immediately and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card or on the bank's official website. You can also report the incident to the Mauritius Police Force by visiting your nearest police station or calling the emergency line 999.
Can money transferred abroad in a Mauritius scam be recovered?β
Recovery is very difficult once funds have been transferred to a foreign account, particularly in South Africa. Victims should contact their bank immediately to attempt a recall and file a police report as quickly as possible to improve the chances of any investigation.
Are phone and WhatsApp scams common in Mauritius?β
Yes, scam calls targeting Mauritians have increased in recent years. Fraudsters often impersonate bank officials, police officers or government agencies. Older residents are frequently targeted. The Mauritius Police Force and local banks periodically issue public warnings advising people never to share financial information over the phone.
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