Rajkot Woman's Rs 90,000 Saved from Instagram Scam by Alert Bank and Police
In a swift intervention, the savings of a 38-year-old woman from Rajkot were protected from a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme. Alert staff at a local Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch and officers from the Keshod Cyber Crime police in Junagadh district collaborated to block a suspicious transaction worth Rs 90,000, preventing significant financial loss.
Suspicious Transaction Raises Red Flags
On February 25, Hetal Kathiriya visited the Punjab National Bank branch in Rajkot with the intention of transferring Rs 90,000 from her account. She filled out the necessary slip with the recipient's account number but notably left the recipient's name blank. When she requested the bank employees to verify the name associated with the account number, their routine check revealed it was registered to 'Tanya Singh' at a Delhi branch.
This discrepancy immediately triggered suspicion among the bank staff, who recognized it as a potential red flag for fraudulent activity. Without delay, the bank alerted the local police authorities to investigate the matter further.
Police Intervention and Uncovering the Scam
Upon arrival, police officers encountered Kathiriya, who insisted that the transfer was legitimate. She claimed she was sending the money to her husband and argued that the police had no jurisdiction over her personal funds. Despite her protests, the officers, led by Police Inspector P A Jadav, instructed the bank to block the transaction. They strongly believed she was either being defrauded or unknowingly involved in a criminal network.
During questioning, Kathiriya made a phone call and handed the device to a police officer. "I put the phone on speaker and talked to him in front of the bank manager. That person was talking in Hindi while this woman was a Gujarati speaker from a nearby village. When we asked several questions to the person on the phone about his relationship with this woman and how he knew her, he disconnected the phone," explained Gopal Vithlani, a cybercrime expert with the Junagadh police.
Kathiriya then attempted to call two or three other numbers, all of which were switched off, further confirming the officers' suspicions. Through persistent efforts, Inspector Jadav and his team eventually convinced her that she was being targeted by scammers.
The Instagram Gift Scam Revealed
After realizing the danger, Kathiriya disclosed to the police that she had been promised a 'gift' by an 'Instagram friend.' The scammer had instructed her to pay Rs 90,000 for "taxes and other charges" to release the supposed gift. This is a common tactic used by online fraudsters to exploit victims' trust and extract money.
"We cross-verified the receiving bank account and found that several applications alleging fraud had mentioned it," added Vithlani, highlighting that the account was already under scrutiny for similar fraudulent activities.
Outcome and Relief for the Victim
Relieved that her hard-earned savings were protected, Kathiriya, who comes from a poor family, submitted a handwritten application to have her blocked funds released back to her account. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and prompt action by financial institutions and law enforcement in combating cybercrime.
The collaborative effort between the Punjab National Bank staff and the Keshod Cyber Crime police serves as a critical reminder for the public to verify details before making financial transactions and to be cautious of unsolicited online offers.
