Nagpur Pensioner Defrauded of Rs 5 Lakh in Sophisticated Online Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the rising threat of cybercrime, a 70-year-old pensioner from Nagpur has fallen victim to an elaborate online cheating scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs 5 lakh. The elderly resident, identified as Narendra Bawangade, resides in Yashodeep Colony, Mahendra Nagar, under the jurisdiction of the Pachpaoli police station.
Details of the Deceptive Call and Fraudulent Activity
On February 18, between 11 am and 12 pm, Bawangade received an unsolicited call from an unknown number. The caller, who fraudulently presented himself as an official from the State Bank of India (SBI), claimed that there were critical issues with Bawangade's pension card that required immediate attention. To resolve the purported problem, the scammer sent a WhatsApp link to Bawangade, instructing him to fill out a form provided through the link.
Unaware of the malicious intent, Bawangade complied with the instructions. Shortly after he submitted the form, a staggering amount of Rs 5 lakh was illicitly transferred from his bank account. The swift and covert nature of the transaction left the pensioner in shock, realizing he had been targeted by cyber criminals.
Police Investigation and Legal Actions Taken
Following the incident, the Pachpaoli Police have registered a formal case to investigate the fraud. The charges have been filed under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to cheating and related offenses. Additionally, the police have invoked Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, addressing identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources.
This case underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance among citizens, especially senior citizens who are often more vulnerable to such scams. Authorities are urging the public to verify the authenticity of any unsolicited communications claiming to be from financial institutions and to avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information online.
The investigation is ongoing, with police efforts focused on tracing the perpetrators and recovering the stolen funds. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by cyber fraudsters and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect personal finances.
