Bengaluru Homemaker's Welfare Scheme Hope Ends In Massive Cyber Fraud
A seemingly helpful offer to enroll in a government welfare scheme has spiraled into a devastating financial nightmare for a 55-year-old homemaker in Bengaluru. Her newly opened bank account was allegedly exploited as a conduit for cybercrime transactions exceeding a staggering Rs 10 lakh, according to a police complaint.
The Deceptive Offer and Initial Trust
The distressing episode began in April 2025 when Sangamesh, identified as a former colleague of the victim's son, Ramesh, approached the family. He presented himself as a helpful intermediary, claiming he could facilitate the enrollment of the homemaker, Parvathi, into the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. This government initiative promises a monthly benefit of Rs 2,000 to eligible women.
Sangamesh reportedly stated that while agents typically charge a Rs 10,000 processing fee, he would complete the process for a reduced sum of Rs 7,000. At the time, Ramesh was preoccupied with caring for his ailing mother, Parvathi. Placing trust in this acquaintance, he explained the offer to his mother, who agreed to proceed.
Escalating Demands and Critical Information Handover
The situation quickly escalated as Sangamesh made a series of demands. First, Ramesh shared his mother's PAN card details with Sangamesh via WhatsApp. Shortly after, Sangamesh insisted that Parvathi must open a new savings account at a specific private bank branch in Banaswadi. He falsely claimed this step was necessary to expedite the approval of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme benefits.
With limited understanding of banking protocols, Parvathi, accompanied by her son, visited the designated branch and opened the account as instructed. The very same day, Sangamesh met Ramesh in Hoysalanagar and collected the complete bank kit. This included the passbook, debit card, cheque book, along with Rs 5,000 paid as an alleged commission fee.
Within days, Sangamesh also obtained the One-Time Password (OTP) for the new account. He deceitfully claimed he needed it to log in and check the status of the scheme application on Parvathi's behalf.
The Unraveling of the Scam
Weeks passed without any update on the supposed scheme enrollment. When the family attempted to contact Sangamesh for clarification, he initially blamed the delay on vague "government server issues." He subsequently became completely unreachable, cutting off all communication.
The shocking truth was revealed only recently when police authorities contacted Parvathi. They informed her that her new bank account had been used as a "mule account" to route illicit transactions totaling Rs 10.6 lakh. Parvathi has consistently maintained to investigators that she had no knowledge of these transactions and was entirely misled by Sangamesh's fraudulent promises.
Legal Action and Broader Implications
Based on the complaint filed by Parvathi, a resident of Ramamurthy Nagar, at the East Cyber Crime police station, authorities have registered a formal case. The charges are filed under the relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and Section 318 (cheating) of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
This case highlights a dangerous trend where criminals exploit public trust in government welfare schemes and the digital inexperience of vulnerable citizens. The incident serves as a stark warning against sharing sensitive personal documents, bank details, and OTPs, even with seemingly familiar individuals. It underscores the critical need for heightened public awareness regarding cyber hygiene and the sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters to manipulate and steal.
