Kolkata Doctor Loses Rs 11 Lakh in SIM-Swap Fraud During Ahmedabad Conference
In a distressing incident, a woman doctor from the Karaya area of Kolkata was allegedly cheated of approximately Rs 11 lakh in a sophisticated SIM-swap fraud while she was in Ahmedabad to attend a professional conference in December. Police have confirmed the case, noting that it is part of a broader surge in SIM-related cyber frauds that are increasingly targeting unsuspecting individuals across India.
Details of the Fraudulent Incident
According to the official complaint filed with the authorities, the doctor was travelling and staying in Ahmedabad when her mobile SIM card, linked to her primary number, suddenly became inactive on December 14. She reported that both incoming and outgoing calls ceased to function, which prompted her to seek an immediate e-SIM replacement to restore her connectivity.
Shortly after, she received a phone call from an individual who claimed to be a representative from her service provider's customer care department. The caller allegedly informed her that her SIM would be suspended for the next 24 hours due to an ongoing "upgradation" of services and instructed her to visit a nearby service provider store for assistance. During this interaction, the doctor provided an alternative contact number for call forwarding, but later discovered that the forwarding feature did not activate as promised.
How the Fraud Was Executed
Police investigations have revealed that the complainant was induced to share sensitive credentials during the purported customer-care conversation. Investigators suspect that this information was maliciously used to execute a SIM swap, a technique that allowed the accused to gain control over the victim's mobile number. By doing so, the fraudsters were able to intercept critical banking alerts and authentication messages, which are essential for securing financial transactions.
On December 16, after connecting her smartphone to the hotel Wi-Fi network in Ahmedabad, the doctor received a series of alarming emails indicating unauthorized money deductions totaling around Rs 10.4 lakh. These emails detailed various transactions and even a loan registration linked to her bank accounts, which she had not authorized.
Immediate Response and Broader Implications
Upon realizing the severity of the situation, the doctor promptly contacted the toll-free customer service numbers of her two private banks to block her accounts and prevent any further unauthorized debits. This swift action likely helped mitigate additional financial losses, but the incident has left her grappling with significant monetary and emotional distress.
This case underscores the growing threat of SIM-swap frauds in India, where cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in telecommunications and banking systems to defraud citizens. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when sharing personal information over the phone and to verify the authenticity of any unsolicited calls claiming to be from service providers.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police are examining the wider patterns of such frauds to develop stronger preventive measures and enhance cybersecurity awareness among the general population.
