A shocking case of cyber fraud has surfaced in Meerut’s Kankerkhera area, where a youth lost his life savings after falling prey to a fake e-challan scam. Cybercriminals posing as transport officials tricked him into clicking a malicious link, which allowed them to siphon off ₹15.50 lakh from his bank account.
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How the Fraud Took Place
The victim, Ankur Singh, a resident of Ganpati Vihar in Kankerkhera, holds an account with HDFC Bank, Suryaansh Plaza, Garh Road. On September 1, he received a WhatsApp message claiming that his vehicle had been fined by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The message contained what appeared to be an official link for checking the details of the challan.
Trusting the source, Ankur clicked on the link. Within moments, his mobile phone was compromised. Hackers gained remote access to his device, including sensitive banking information. Soon after, ₹15.50 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn in multiple transactions from his account.
Complaint and Police Action
Realizing the fraud, Ankur immediately approached the Cyber Crime Police Station and filed a formal complaint. The police have begun tracing the accounts into which the stolen funds were transferred. Investigators believe the fraud was carried out by an organized cybercrime gang specializing in phishing schemes.
Officials emphasized that this case highlights how criminals are constantly inventing new methods to dupe unsuspecting citizens and urged people not to fall prey to suspicious messages.
Experts Warn of Growing Trend
Cyber experts have noted a shift in digital fraud patterns. While OTP-based scams are declining, more sophisticated methods such as phishing links, impersonation, and fake government notices are on the rise. Fraudsters often disguise themselves as RTO officials, bankers, or corporate representatives to create a false sense of trust.
Authorities advise the public to always cross-check such notices directly on official government websites or verified helplines before taking any action.
Citizens Urged to Stay Alert
Police have appealed to citizens to remain cautious while handling digital communications. A single click on a suspicious link can expose personal data, compromise devices, and wipe out years of hard-earned savings.