In a significant breakthrough, the cyber police in Berhampur have successfully recovered a portion of funds stolen from a local woman in a sophisticated online scam. The authorities managed to retrieve Rs 1.67 lakh out of the total Rs 7.7 lakh that was fraudulently taken from the victim approximately five months ago.
The Deceptive Call and the Fraud
The incident began when the victim, who is an employee of a private bank, received a call from an unknown number on July 4. The caller convincingly identified himself as a bona fide customer of her bank, claiming to hold an account under the name Janapriya Developer. He expressed interest in creating a fixed deposit of a staggering Rs 2 crore and requested her assistance with the formalities.
As part of this elaborate ruse, the fraudster instructed the bank employee to transfer Rs 10.65 lakh via RTGS to a specified account from the bank's funds. Acting in good faith and perhaps under pressure to assist a high-value client, the woman instead transferred Rs 7,70,161 from her personal bank account on July 5. The realisation of the deceit dawned on her only when the caller subsequently became unresponsive.
Police Action and Digital Investigation
Following the shocking discovery, the victim formally lodged a complaint at the cyber police station on July 8. The cyber crime unit immediately sprang into action, launching a detailed investigation based on digital footprints and transaction trails.
Through meticulous analysis of digital evidence, the police team traced the flow of the stolen money. Their investigation revealed that the fraudster had siphoned the funds into 11 different bank accounts. A total of Rs 4.4 lakh was found frozen across these accounts.
Partial Recovery and Ongoing Efforts
After obtaining the necessary court orders, the police facilitated the transfer of Rs 1.67 lakh back to the complainant's account. This marks a crucial, though partial, victory in the fight against cyber crime.
Saravana Vivek M, the Superintendent of Police (Berhampur), confirmed the development and assured that active steps are being taken to recover and return the remaining amount to the victim. This case highlights the increasing sophistication of financial cyber crimes, even targeting those within the banking sector itself.
The successful recovery, while not of the full amount, serves as a strong reminder of the importance of immediate reporting and the capabilities of specialised cyber cells in following the digital money trail. Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited financial requests, regardless of the apparent legitimacy of the caller.
