Hyderabad Senior Loses Rs 20 Lakh in Sophisticated Cyber Fraud via Fake Bank App
In a distressing incident highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime, a 78-year-old retired bank employee from Hyderabad has been defrauded of a staggering Rs 20 lakh after falling victim to a sophisticated online scam. The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have swiftly registered a case and launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Victim's Ordeal and Immediate Response
The victim, a resident of Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, lodged an official complaint on Monday, detailing the harrowing sequence of events. According to the complaint, the septuagenarian received multiple alarming text messages on February 13 from his bank, confirming seven high-value debits from four joint accounts he holds with family members.
Reacting promptly, the elderly man immediately contacted the bank's helpline and the national cyber fraud hotline, 1930, to block any further unauthorized transactions. However, by the time he took action, the fraudsters had already siphoned off the entire Rs 20 lakh. Additionally, they had prematurely closed one of his fixed deposits to facilitate the theft, as reported to the police.
Modus Operandi of the Cyber Fraudsters
The police investigation has revealed a meticulously planned modus operandi employed by the cybercriminals. The fraud initially began when the victim was contacted through a Facebook page titled 'Union Retired Staff Benefits'. The page, posing as an official channel, offered the victim a new pension credit card.
Intrigued by the offer, the victim clicked on the provided link. Subsequently, he received another web link sent from an unknown number on WhatsApp. Upon clicking this second link, he downloaded an APK file that bore the official logo of the Union Bank of India, making it appear legitimate.
Unbeknownst to the victim, this application was a malicious remote-access tool. Once installed, it granted the fraudsters complete remote access to his smartphone. Exploiting this access on February 13, the criminals executed seven unauthorized fund transfers from four of his bank accounts, leading to the massive financial loss.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Acting on the victim's complaint, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have registered a formal case under multiple sections of relevant laws. The charges include:
- Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, which deal with identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources.
- Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, pertaining to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
- Section 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, related to cheating by personation.
The police probe is now actively focused on tracing the digital footprints of the fraudsters, identifying the source of the malicious application, and recovering the stolen funds. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens and the critical need for heightened cybersecurity awareness among all demographics.
