Noida Woman Defrauded of Rs 24.8 Lakh in Elaborate 5G SIM Upgrade Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the perils of cyber fraud, a woman from Noida was swindled out of a staggering Rs 24.8 lakh after falling prey to a deceptive 5G SIM upgrade scheme. The scam, which unfolded over several days in early February, involved a caller impersonating a telecom provider executive, leading to unauthorized bank transactions and significant financial loss.
How the Scam Unfolded
On February 4, the victim received multiple calls from an individual claiming to be a representative of a telecom service provider. The caller inquired if she wished to upgrade her SIM card to access 5G services. Upon her confirmation, the fraudster allegedly placed a request on her behalf. Subsequently, she was informed that her SIM would be temporarily disabled for 24 hours as part of the upgrade process.
However, when the SIM service was restored, the woman discovered that multiple unauthorized transactions had been conducted from her bank accounts, culminating in a total loss of Rs 24.8 lakh. According to an FIR filed with the Cyber Crime police based on her husband's complaint, the request was actually registered for an e-SIM rather than a 5G upgrade. When the couple raised concerns about this discrepancy, the caller insisted it was a necessary step.
Prolonged Deception and Police Action
The situation escalated as the SIM services remained inactive even after the promised 24-hour period. The caller attributed the delay to technical issues, prolonging the matter until February 8. During this time, the fraudsters contacted the couple from various phone numbers, repeatedly assuring them that the issue would be resolved swiftly.
Upon realizing the fraud, the victim immediately cancelled her credit cards and mobile banking services to prevent further losses. The couple then approached the authorities and filed a formal complaint. In response, the police registered a case under sections 318(4) (cheating) and 319(2) (cheating by personation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections 66 and 66D of the Information Technology Act.
Broader Implications and Warnings
This incident underscores the growing sophistication of cyber crimes targeting unsuspecting individuals through impersonation and phishing tactics. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls regarding service upgrades and to verify such requests directly with official channels. The case remains under investigation as police work to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
