Cyber Criminals’ Web Claims ₹1 Lakh from Woman’s Account; Cyber Police Station Launches Investigation
Bhagalpur: Cyber fraudsters have once again targeted Bhagalpur. In a calculated move, cyber criminals siphoned off ₹1 lakh from the bank account of a woman residing in a prominent locality of the city. Following the incident, the victim promptly approached the Cyber Police Station, leading to the registration of an FIR and the initiation of an investigation.
How the Woman Was Trapped
According to the victim, she received a call from an unknown number. The caller posed as a bank official and intimidated the woman, claiming that her bank account needed an urgent KYC (Know Your Customer) update. The fraudsters gained her trust by speaking politely and warned that if the process was not completed immediately, her bank account would be permanently blocked.
In a state of panic, the woman clicked on a link sent by the stranger and shared the requested One-Time Password (OTP). As soon as the OTP was shared, ₹1 lakh was debited from her account within seconds. A notification on her phone alerted her to the transaction, and she realized she had been defrauded.
Prompt Action by Cyber Police
Upon receiving the report, the woman immediately reached the Cyber Police Station. The Station House Officer (SHO) treated the matter with the utmost seriousness, immediately writing to the concerned bank to stop the transaction and freeze the account. Additionally, the police have begun scrutinizing the details of the phone number and the bank accounts to which the money was transferred.
The Cyber Police noted that the technique used by the fraudsters is highly sophisticated. Currently, a police team is monitoring the accounts involved in the transaction. Officials claim that the location of the perpetrators will be identified soon.
Caution is the Only Defense: Expert Advice
Cyber experts believe that criminals in such cases often exploit the panic of common citizens. The police have issued a public advisory:
Do not click on suspicious links: Avoid opening links received in messages without verifying the source.
Never share OTPs: Banks never ask for an OTP or PIN over the phone.
Handling suspicious calls: If someone claiming to be a bank official tries to scare you, hang up immediately and visit your bank branch personally to verify.
Cyber Helpline: In case of any fraud, immediately call the national cyber helpline number 1930.
Administrative Vigilance
The Bhagalpur Cyber Police have taken this case as a challenge. Officials stated that a special monitoring team has been formed to curb the rising incidence of cybercrime in the city. The public has been urged not to share their banking details with anyone under any circumstances.
Currently, the police are conducting a technical investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible. This incident serves as a stark reminder that in the digital age, a little caution is all it takes to keep your hard-earned money safe.
