Kolkata Resident Falls Victim to Sophisticated Loan Scam, Loses Rs 1.2 Lakh
A resident of Polenite Mission Para in the Bidhannagar Police Station area of Kolkata has reported being defrauded of Rs 1.2 lakh in a sophisticated cyber crime incident. The victim, who had recently availed a personal loan, was targeted by scammers posing as representatives of a finance company, highlighting a growing trend in financial frauds.
Details of the Fraudulent Incident
According to the complaint filed at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Bidhannagar, the complainant had taken out a loan of Rs 1.3 lakh from a legitimate finance company on February 10. The very next day, on February 11, he received a call from an individual claiming to be an official from the same finance company. The caller asserted that certain formalities related to the loan were incomplete and needed immediate attention.
The scammer then sent a link to the victim, instructing him to click on it to complete the necessary processes. Trusting the caller, the complainant clicked the link, after which his phone became completely unresponsive. Police officials noted that it took approximately 10 minutes for the victim to restart his device.
Financial Loss and Investigation Status
Upon regaining access to his phone, the victim discovered that Rs 1.2 lakh had been illegally debited from his account through three separate UPI transactions. This swift and unauthorized transfer underscores the efficiency of the scammers' methods in exploiting digital payment systems.
No arrests have been made in connection with this case as of now, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or links, especially concerning financial matters.
Broader Implications and Safety Advice
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online financial transactions and the importance of verifying the authenticity of communications from financial institutions. Cyber crime experts recommend:
- Never clicking on links from unknown or unverified sources.
- Directly contacting your bank or finance company using official numbers to confirm any requests.
- Monitoring bank accounts regularly for any suspicious activity.
As digital frauds become more prevalent, such cases highlight the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and public awareness to protect against financial losses.
