Chennai Assistant Director's Phone Stolen, Money Transferred, Then Returned via Delivery App
In a bizarre incident in Chennai, a thief who stole a mobile phone from a film industry professional not only transferred money from the victim's bank account but also formatted the device before returning it through a delivery application. The case highlights evolving criminal tactics in the digital age.
Details of the Theft and Subsequent Events
Selvendran, an assistant director working in Tamil cinema, visited a juice shop in the Arumbakkam area to meet a friend. He left his mobile phone unattended on his two-wheeler during this brief encounter. Upon returning, he discovered the device was missing.
CCTV footage from the location revealed a young man sitting on Selvendran's vehicle before departing on a different motorcycle. Selvendran immediately filed a police complaint and attempted to call his phone repeatedly. After several rings, the phone was switched off completely.
Contact with Victim's Wife and Bargaining Attempt
Hours later, when Selvendran's wife Sangeetha tried to reach her husband's number, someone answered the call. The individual claimed that a young boy had accidentally taken the phone and offered to return it if she provided her location.
When Sangeetha complied, the caller began negotiating, demanding Rs 1,500 for the device's return. Shortly afterward, the mobile phone was indeed returned to the couple through a popular delivery app service.
Discovery of Financial Fraud and Data Wiping
However, when Selvendran examined the returned device, he made alarming discoveries. The phone had been completely formatted with new software installed. More concerning, Rs 5,000 had been transferred from his bank account via the PhonePe payment application without his authorization.
Furthermore, the thief had accessed Selvendran's contacts list and reached out to multiple individuals, requesting money transfers from them as well. This additional layer of attempted fraud compounded the victim's distress.
Police Complaint and Ongoing Investigation
Selvendran subsequently lodged a formal complaint at the Vadapalani police station, providing details of the theft, financial transaction, and contact with his wife. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
This incident serves as a stark reminder about the importance of mobile security and the sophisticated methods criminals now employ, combining physical theft with digital fraud. Police advise citizens to maintain vigilance with their electronic devices and financial applications.
