Kolkata Senior Defrauded of Rs 1.6 Lakh in Elaborate Phone Hacking Scam
A 62-year-old resident of New Town in Kolkata has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, allegedly losing a substantial sum of Rs 1.6 lakh after her mobile phone was compromised through a deceptive social media advertisement. The Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station registered a formal complaint on Monday, detailing a disturbing sequence of events that unfolded on October 29, 2025.
The Deceptive Link and Immediate Compromise
According to the police report, the incident began when the victim encountered a fraudulent advertisement on social media promoting a credit card offer. Upon clicking the provided link, her cellphone was almost instantly hacked. The device exhibited alarming symptoms: it could not be powered down, and call-forwarding features were activated automatically without her consent. This unauthorized access granted the fraudsters a gateway to her sensitive personal data.
Unauthorized Access and Financial Drain
Exploiting the compromised device, the accused allegedly gained illicit access to the victim's multiple bank accounts. In a coordinated move, they proceeded to siphon off a total of Rs 1,58,450. The victim, realizing the severity of the breach after discovering the unauthorized transactions, took immediate action by reporting the cyber crime.
Formal Complaint and Legal Action
The distressed senior citizen first registered her grievance on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, following which a formal complaint was lodged at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station. Based on her detailed account, law enforcement officials have registered a case under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 316(2)
- Section 319(2)
- Section 318(4)
- Section 61(2)
- Section 111(4)
- Section 111(6)
This legal action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating such digital frauds, especially those targeting vulnerable demographics.
A Growing Threat in the Digital Age
This case highlights the escalating threat of social media-based cyber crimes, where fraudsters use enticing advertisements as bait to compromise personal devices. The incident serves as a critical reminder for all citizens, particularly older adults, to exercise extreme caution when interacting with online advertisements and unsolicited links. Cybersecurity experts consistently advise verifying the authenticity of offers and avoiding clicking on links from unverified sources.
The Kolkata Police's cyber crime unit is actively investigating the matter, aiming to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds. This incident adds to a growing list of similar frauds reported across the city, prompting calls for enhanced public awareness and stronger digital safeguards.
