In a disturbing incident highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime among armed forces, two soldiers from the 100th battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) — Constable GD Subodh Ram and Havildar NA Mahesh Kumar Singh — were defrauded after receiving a malicious file via WhatsApp. The file, deceptively titled “Ayushman Bharat”, led to unauthorized transactions on their credit cards amounting to over ₹1.45 lakh.
The cyber fraud began when both soldiers clicked on the link, assuming it was related to the government’s healthcare scheme. Within moments of the file downloading, they began receiving transaction alerts from different banks, including SBI, Axis Bank, and RBL. It soon became apparent that three Samsung Galaxy mobile phones had been ordered using their credit card information.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Phones Ordered Online and Delivered in Minutes
Following the incident, the jawans quickly contacted their respective banks and blocked their cards to prevent further transactions. A review of their Flipkart accounts revealed that the cybercriminal had ordered the smartphones in the name of “Sonu Kumar” with a delivery address in Patna. Astonishingly, the items were dispatched and delivered within just 15 minutes — a fact that underscores how efficiently such frauds are being executed.
The following amounts were debited:
- ₹45,071 and ₹45,310 from Mahesh Kumar Singh’s credit cards
- ₹54,737 from Subodh Ram’s credit card
Both soldiers lodged formal complaints with their banks and registered the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, attaching relevant documents to facilitate speedy action.
BSF Issues Internal Alert; Cybersecurity Awareness Urged
This incident has raised alarm bells within the paramilitary forces. The BSF has now advised all its units, training centers, and branches to exercise extreme caution regarding suspicious digital content and unsolicited links. Officials are urging personnel to be educated on the dangers of phishing, fake apps, and impersonation scams to prevent recurrence.
The scam highlights how cybercriminals are targeting even disciplined forces through social engineering and deceptive government-themed campaigns. With growing dependence on smartphones and digital transactions among defence personnel, the need for regular cybersecurity training has become more urgent than ever.