Mumbai IT Consultant Files FIR Over Alleged Rs 2.75 Lakh Credit Card Fraud After 21-Month Delay
In a startling case of delayed justice, an IT consultant from Kandivli, Ajay Kumar, has finally managed to register a First Information Report (FIR) on March 6 at the Samta Nagar police station. The complaint pertains to alleged fraudulent credit card transactions that occurred on June 28, 2024—nearly 21 months after the incident took place. This delay underscores the challenges victims face in navigating bureaucratic and legal hurdles in cyber fraud cases.
Details of the Fraudulent Transactions
Kumar alleged that approximately 60 unauthorized transactions, totaling around Rs 2.75 lakh, were conducted between June 28 and July 8, 2024. These transactions occurred in Santiago, Chile, and Dubai while he was physically present in India. He emphasized that he did not receive any One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or transaction alerts during this period, discovering the fraud only later through an account review.
The police registered the FIR following Kumar's persistent complaint and subsequent escalation of the matter. He stated that he would approach the consumer court if no action was taken, which prompted the authorities to act. Kumar further claimed that the bank debited about Rs 82,000 from his linked savings account—part of an LIC maturity payout—without prior notice. The bank is still demanding Rs 2.8 lakh from him, adding to his financial distress.
Bank's Response and Dispute Over Evidence
In email communications, Kumar asserted that the bank failed to provide verifiable proof of OTP authentication, transaction logs, or investigation records. He insisted that he never received any alerts and disputed the lien recovery from his savings account while the fraud remains unresolved. "In the absence of verifiable records, the conclusion that the transactions are genuine remains unsubstantiated and is disputed," he wrote.
The bank responded by stating that Rs 81,372.75 was recovered via a lien against dues on a written-off credit card account, with prior intimation sent to Kumar. It maintained that the amount cannot be refunded, the outstanding balance is Rs 2.86 lakh, and earlier disputed transactions were verified as OTP-authenticated. The bank added that lien marking and recoveries may continue until all dues are cleared, highlighting a rigid stance in such disputes.
Similar Case and Broader Trends in Maharashtra
This incident is not isolated. In a similar case, Borivli resident Navneet Batra (67) faced fraudulent transactions of Rs 1.9 lakh in 2023. Despite police recovering Rs 1.93 lakh after three years, the bank increased his dues to Rs 2.66 lakh with interest and sent legal notices, illustrating the compounding financial burdens victims often endure.
From 2020 to 2025, Maharashtra recorded a staggering 8,047 cases of card and internet banking fraud. Out of these, only 1,226 cases were solved, resulting in 1,237 arrests. The total amount siphoned was Rs 372 crore, with a mere Rs 11.2 crore recovered. Police attribute the low recovery rate to rapid fund transfers across multiple accounts, making it difficult to trace and retrieve stolen money.
Expert Opinions on Systemic Failures and Solutions
Cybersecurity experts argue that OTP-based defences are increasingly outdated, as fraud often involves sophisticated methods like impersonation, data leaks, or systemic failures within financial institutions. They advocate for a shift in liability towards banks and other institutions, urging stronger verification protocols and strict adherence to the Reserve Bank of India's zero-liability norms.
Officials note that such fraud typically stems from stolen data, phishing attacks, cloned cards, or account takeovers. Legal experts point out that rising cybercrime is driven by widespread internet use, while low conviction rates—ranging from 2.9% to 7.9%—reflect weak deterrence mechanisms and a lack of specialized cyber courts. This systemic inadequacy hampers effective justice delivery and victim protection.
In conclusion, Kumar's case highlights critical gaps in India's banking security and legal frameworks. As cyber fraud becomes more prevalent, there is an urgent need for enhanced regulatory measures, better victim support, and technological upgrades to safeguard consumers' financial interests.
