Typo Trouble: How Missing 'E' in IDs Left ₹55 Lakh Hole in HAL's Pocket

New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Kanpur has fallen victim to a cyber scam, losing $63,000 (₹55 lakh) after being tricked by a ‘fake’ email. The incident, which took place in May 2024, is now under investigation, with a case registered under the IT Act.  

The scam unfolded when HAL sought a price quotation for three fighter aircraft parts from a US-based company, PS Engineering Incorporated. The initial communication was legitimate, conducted via email. However, at some point, a fraudulent email ID replaced the original one. 

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Typo Trouble

According to DCP Crime Anjali Vishwakarma, the only difference between the real and fake email addresses was the absence of the letter ‘e’, a small but costly detail that went unnoticed.  

“HAL got in touch with a US company, PS Engineering Incorporated, to buy aircraft parts. When the talks began there was a legitimate email ID. somewhere in the middle, the proper email was replaced with a fake one. There was only one difference between the two IDs, the missing letter ‘e’,” said Vishwakarma. 

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Due to this mistake being overlooked, HAL made the payment to a ‘fake’ account instead of the vendor’s actual account. 

“Due to this mistake being overlooked, HAL made the payment in a wrong account which was not the account of the proper vendor. When the vendor said that he did not receive any payment, then this fraud came into limelight. In this, HAL has paid approximately $63,000 i.e. Rs 55 lakh in a frad account,” said the police officer. 

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The fraud came to light when the vendor reported that they had not received the payment, said the police officer.