A businessman from Uttar Pradesh fell victim to an online fraud and was duped of Rs 3.42 lakh by unidentified cyber criminals. The incident took place in Ludhiana, where the victim had come for some business work. According to the police, the fraudsters posed as bank officials and tricked the victim into sharing his bank account details and OTP.
How the Fraud Occurred
The victim, identified as Ravi Kumar, a resident of Kanpur, received a call from a person claiming to be a representative of his bank. The caller informed him that his bank account was about to be deactivated due to some technical issues and asked him to update his details immediately. Believing the call to be genuine, Kumar shared his account number, CVV, and OTP with the caller. Within minutes, Rs 3.42 lakh was debited from his account in multiple transactions.
Immediate Action Taken
Realizing that he had been cheated, Kumar immediately contacted his bank and tried to block his account. He also approached the Ludhiana police and lodged a complaint at the cyber crime cell. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.
Police Investigation Underway
Senior police officials stated that they are investigating the matter and are trying to trace the fraudsters through the phone numbers and bank accounts used in the crime. They have advised people to be cautious while sharing personal and financial information over the phone. The police also urged citizens to verify any such calls by contacting their bank directly.
Rise in Cyber Crimes
This incident is part of a growing trend of cyber frauds where criminals impersonate bank officials to steal money. The police have launched awareness campaigns to educate the public about such scams. They recommend never sharing OTPs, CVV numbers, or passwords with anyone, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
Victim's Statement
In his statement to the police, Kumar said, "I never thought that a simple phone call could cost me so much. I urge everyone to be careful and not trust unknown callers, even if they claim to be from a bank." The police are hopeful of solving the case soon with the help of technical surveillance.
