A 72-year-old retired bank employee from Tallur in Kundapur taluk, Karnataka, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated online fraud, losing a staggering sum of over Rs 21 lakh. The incident serves as a stark warning about the dangers of clicking on suspicious advertisements on social media platforms.
The Deceptive Facebook Advertisement
The unfortunate sequence of events began on November 28. The complainant, a senior citizen and former bank worker, was scrolling through Facebook when he encountered an advertisement that seemed tailor-made for him. The ad promoted a special bank card that offered exclusive benefits to retired bank employees. Intrigued by the offer, the man clicked on the link provided in the post, unknowingly stepping into a trap laid by cyber criminals.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The very next day, on November 29, the retiree received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller, who falsely claimed to be calling from a bank branch in Gujarat, referenced the Facebook link the victim had clicked. To gain the victim's trust, the fraudster displayed detailed knowledge of his initial interaction with the ad.
The caller then instructed the man to revisit the Facebook link and fill in a form with his sensitive personal and financial details. This included his bank account information, mobile number, and email address. In a critical mistake, the victim complied and later also shared the One-Time Password (OTP) from his bank with the unknown caller. This action gave the scammers complete access to his finances.
In a series of transactions, the criminals proceeded to fraudulently transfer Rs 21.3 lakh from the elderly man's bank account. The money was siphoned off in phases, leaving his account depleted.
Legal Action and Key Takeaways
Following the discovery of the fraud, a formal case was registered at the CEN crime police station. The complaint has been filed under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the BNS.
This distressing case highlights several crucial points for the public, especially senior citizens who are often targeted:
- Never click on unsolicited links in social media ads or messages, even if they appear highly relevant.
- Legitimate banks never ask for your OTP, PIN, or full password over the phone or via email.
- Always verify offers directly through a bank's official website or branch.
- Be extremely cautious of callers who reference your online activity to build false credibility.
The police are investigating the case to trace the individuals behind this cruel scam, which exploited the trust of a retired professional.
