Mangaluru Man's Bank Account Allegedly Misused for Cybercrime, Receives Death Threats
A man from Mangaluru has approached the CEN Crime police station with a shocking complaint, alleging that his bank account was misused by an acquaintance for cybercrime activities. This incident has spiraled into multiple cybercrime complaints being linked to his account and terrifying threats from unknown callers, creating a nightmare scenario for the victim.
How the Account Was Compromised
The complainant detailed that he had opened a current account in 2023 specifically for business purposes. To facilitate mobile banking services, he linked his mobile number to this account. In December 2025, a person identified as Ibrahim, whom the complainant had known for approximately two years, approached him with a request to use his current account for business transactions. Trusting this acquaintance, the complainant made a fateful decision: he handed over his bank passbook, ATM card, cheque book, and the Airtel SIM card that was linked to the account.
Suspicion and Discovery of Fraud
A few days after handing over his banking materials, the complainant began to grow suspicious. He confronted Ibrahim and successfully retrieved the passbook, ATM card, cheque book, and the linked SIM card. However, the damage had already been done. To investigate further, the complainant visited his bank and spoke with the manager. It was then that he received the alarming news: his account had been frozen in connection with five separate cybercrime complaints registered in different states across India.
When the complainant repeatedly questioned Ibrahim about these activities, the acquaintance allegedly failed to provide any coherent explanation, deepening the mystery and concern.
Escalation to Threats and Blackmail
The situation took a sinister turn when the complainant started receiving threatening calls from foreign numbers and various WhatsApp numbers. The callers allegedly claimed that he had repeatedly contacted "their people" and demanded a payment of Rs 1 lakh. They further threatened that if he contacted them again, the amount would escalate to Rs 2 lakh. In a chilling escalation, the callers also allegedly threatened to kill him if he failed to comply with their demands.
Adding to the intimidation, the callers allegedly engaged in blackmail. They warned the complainant that if he disclosed to anyone that he had handed over his bank account details, they would file complaints against him and force him to pay additional money. This created a double bind for the victim, trapping him in fear of both physical harm and legal repercussions.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
In response to this harrowing ordeal, the police have registered a formal case based on the complainant's allegations. The investigation is currently ongoing, with authorities working to unravel the full extent of the cybercrime network involved and identify all perpetrators. This case highlights the severe risks associated with sharing sensitive financial information, even with acquaintances, and underscores the growing menace of cybercrime linked to bank account misuse.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution with their banking credentials and to report any suspicious activities immediately to prevent such devastating consequences.
