A senior citizen residing in Greater Noida fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a staggering sum of nearly Rs 24 lakh to a scammer impersonating an electricity department official. The incident, which highlights the evolving tactics of online criminals, was reported at the cyber crime police station this Wednesday.
The Deceptive Call and Malware Trap
The ordeal began on November 19 when the 59-year-old private company employee received a call from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as an employee of the NPCL (Noida Power Company Limited) and claimed there was an issue with the man's electricity meter verification. He demanded an immediate online payment of Rs 13 and threatened to disconnect the power supply if the payment was not made promptly.
To facilitate the payment, the fraudster sent a link to the victim's mobile phone. Trusting the caller, the man clicked on the link and attempted to make the payment as instructed. The transaction, however, did not go through. He then tried to complete the payment using his wife's bank account, which also failed. Unbeknownst to the couple, these actions led to the download of malicious APK files on both their mobile phones. This malware granted the scammers remote access to the devices.
Bank Accounts Drained Within Hours
Later that same evening, the victim's nightmare escalated. He started receiving a flurry of transaction alerts via email. The cyber criminals, having infiltrated the phones, gained access to the couple's sensitive banking information. In a coordinated attack, they siphoned off Rs 19.50 lakh from the man's State Bank of India (SBI) account and an additional Rs 4 lakh from his wife's HDFC bank account.
Realizing the magnitude of the fraud, the victim took immediate action. He filed a formal complaint on the national cybercrime reporting portal and also lodged separate complaints with both SBI and HDFC banks to alert them of the unauthorized transactions and attempt to freeze further activity.
A Stark Reminder for Digital Citizens
This case serves as a critical warning about the dangers of downloading applications or files from unverified sources. Scammers are increasingly using urgency and fear, such as threats of disconnection or legal action, to bypass a person's better judgment. The Noida Cyber Crime police are investigating the matter, tracing the digital footprints left by the perpetrators.
Authorities reiterate that legitimate government or utility departments never demand immediate payments via unofficial links or ask customers to install remote access software. Citizens are advised to always verify such calls by contacting the company directly through their official customer care numbers listed on bills or websites, and to never share OTPs or personal banking details with unsolicited callers.
