In a distressing incident of cyber fraud, a talented embroidery artist from Chandigarh was cheated out of a staggering Rs 3.60 lakh. The victim, Bahare Alam, remained completely unaware of the unauthorized transactions until his bank proactively alerted him.
How the Cyber Fraud Unfolded
Bahare Alam, a resident of Milk Colony in Dhanas, received a crucial call from his bank. Officials informed him about significant funds being transferred from his account through online transactions. Alam was shocked, confirming he had not initiated any payments or shared his banking details with anyone.
The cyber police station in Sector 17 immediately registered a case against unknown accused persons. Their preliminary investigation uncovered a sophisticated modus operandi. The fraudsters had managed to hack the victim's mobile phone, gaining illicit access to his financial applications and data.
The Police Investigation and Money Trail
Police probes revealed that the stolen sum of Rs 3.60 lakh was fraudulently transferred to a bank account held by an individual named Somnath. The Cyber Police are now actively trailing these transactions to identify the culprits behind this scam and hopefully recover the stolen money.
This case highlights a growing trend where criminals target personal devices to bypass security measures directly on banking apps.
Official Warnings and Public Vigilance
Following the incident, officials from the cyber police station have issued urgent advisories to the public. They emphasize the critical need for vigilance regarding mobile phone and banking app security.
Key precautions advised by cyber police include:
- Never share personal information, OTPs, or banking credentials on suspicious links, calls, or messages.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all financial apps.
- Regularly monitor bank statements for any unauthorized activity.
- Install reputable security software on smartphones and keep the operating system updated.
The police urge anyone who encounters similar suspicious activity to report it immediately to the cyber crime helpline or their nearest police station to prevent further financial losses.
