A 45-year-old resident of Katraj in Pune fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme last November. Criminals stole a substantial sum of ₹2.60 lakh from his bank account through a deceptive fake RTO challan.
How the Scam Unfolded
The incident began on November 9th. The victim received what appeared to be a traffic violation challan from the Regional Transport Office on his mobile phone. However, this was no ordinary notification.
Instead of a standard message, the fraudsters sent an APK file. When the unsuspecting man downloaded this file, he unknowingly granted cybercriminals complete access to his mobile device.
Bank Account Compromised
With control of the victim's phone, the criminals executed their plan meticulously. They first added a fraudulent beneficiary account to the man's online banking system.
Then, using the victim's own banking application, they transferred ₹2.60 lakh directly from his account. The entire theft occurred without the victim's knowledge or authorization.
Police Investigation and Case Registration
The victim realized he had been duped shortly after the unauthorized transaction. He immediately filed a formal complaint with the Pune cyber police department.
An officer from Bharati Vidyapeeth police station provided details about the case. "After preliminary investigations, we registered the case on Monday," the officer confirmed.
The officer explained the technical aspects of the fraud. "The crooks added a beneficiary account to the victim's online banking system. Then, by using the victim's bank app, they siphoned Rs 2.60 lakh from the victim's bank account," he stated clearly.
Delayed Official Action
Despite the victim reporting the crime immediately after discovering the theft, official police registration occurred months later. The Bharati Vidyapeeth police formally registered the case only this Monday, following necessary preliminary investigations.
This case highlights several important cybersecurity concerns for mobile phone users in India:
- Never download APK files from unknown or unverified sources
- Be extremely cautious of unexpected official communications
- Regularly monitor bank transactions for unauthorized activity
- Report cyber crimes immediately to appropriate authorities
The Pune police continue their investigation into this sophisticated cyber fraud case. They aim to identify and apprehend the criminals responsible for this financial theft.
