A 63-year-old woman from Kolkata's Salt Lake area fell victim to a sophisticated online scam, losing a staggering sum of Rs 12.35 lakh on Friday. The incident, which marks the second such case in the area within a single week, highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud targeting individuals seeking basic services online.
How the Online Appointment Scam Unfolded
The victim, identified as Anindita Mullick, was attempting to book a doctor's appointment when her ordeal began. She reportedly obtained a contact number from the internet. Shortly after, she received a call from a fraudster who convincingly posed as a representative of the Salt Lake Heart Clinic.
The imposter guided Mullick through a series of steps over the phone. During this process, her mobile phone received multiple One-Time Passwords (OTPs). Despite not verbally sharing these OTPs with the caller, the cyber criminals managed to bypass this security layer. This led to 15 unauthorized transactions being executed from her Axis Bank account, draining her savings of Rs 12,35,000.
Police Action and Legal Framework
Following the massive financial loss, Anindita Mullick approached the Bidhannagar North Police Station to file a formal complaint. The police have taken the matter seriously and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This new legal framework is being invoked to tackle such modern cyber crimes effectively.
The prompt registration of the case underscores the severity of the incident and the authorities' commitment to investigating the digital theft. The police are likely to probe the digital trail, including the phone numbers and bank transactions involved.
A Rising Trend of Digital Deception
This is not an isolated event. The police note that this case is the second such incident reported in the Salt Lake area in just one week. This pattern indicates an organized racket preying on citizens, particularly the elderly or those less familiar with digital security protocols.
The modus operandi typically involves:
- Baiting victims through online searches for essential services.
- Impersonating legitimate institutions like clinics or banks.
- Using social engineering to create urgency and trust.
- Exploiting technical loopholes to intercept OTPs or gain remote access to devices.
This alarming case serves as a critical warning for all netizens. It emphasizes that merely not sharing an OTP verbally is no longer sufficient protection. Cybercriminals are employing advanced methods to compromise financial security. Citizens are advised to double-check contact details from official websites, be wary of unsolicited callers guiding them through phone processes, and immediately report any suspicious activity to their bank and local police.
