A disturbing case of cybercrime from Fatehpur has once again highlighted the growing sophistication of online frauds, showing that even those who once enforced the law are not immune. Cybercriminals posing as treasury officials duped a retired police officer of ₹10 lakh, using a pension-related pretext and a malicious digital link to gain access to his bank account.
The victim, Ramsevak Singh, a retired sub-inspector (daroga), is a resident of Pallavan village under the Dhata police station area. He recently retired after serving in Varanasi and maintains his bank account at the Manjhanpur branch of State Bank of India (SBI) in neighbouring Kaushambi district.
Impersonation Call Sets the Trap
According to the complaint, Singh received a phone call on December 20 from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as an official from the Varanasi treasury office and claimed that a substantial pension-related amount and other dues were pending credit to Singh’s account. To process the payment, the caller said, certain formalities needed to be completed immediately.
What made the call convincing was the caller’s apparent knowledge of Singh’s service history, designation, and recent retirement. Officials say such background details are often sourced from leaked databases or social media, helping fraudsters build credibility and lower the victim’s guard.
App Download and Credential Theft
During the conversation, the impersonator persuaded Singh to download the YONO SBI mobile banking application. In the process, the fraudster managed to extract Singh’s user ID and password—critical credentials that later enabled unauthorised access to the account.
A few days later, on December 23, the caller sent a WhatsApp message containing a link, claiming it was required to “activate” the pension credit. Trusting the instructions, Singh clicked on the link while remaining in contact with the caller.
₹10 Lakh Gone in Minutes
Almost immediately after opening the link, Singh began receiving transaction alerts on his phone. Within minutes, ₹5 lakh was withdrawn twice, draining ₹10 lakh from his account. Realising he had been defrauded, the retired officer quickly contacted the bank and managed to block further transactions. By then, however, the money had already been siphoned off.
FIR Registered, Digital Trail Under Scanner
Singh subsequently approached the cybercrime police station and submitted a written complaint. Police confirmed that a case has been registered against unknown accused under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and other applicable sections. Investigators are now tracing the mobile numbers, IP addresses, and transaction routes used in the fraud.
Officials said preliminary findings suggest a well-coordinated operation involving impersonation, credential harvesting, and rapid fund transfers—hallmarks of organised cybercrime networks.
CPT Analysis: ‘Process-Based Fraud’ on the Rise
Commenting on the case, cybercrime expert Rajesh Kumar from the Center for Police Technology (CPT) described it as a classic example of process-based cyber fraud.
“Today’s cybercriminals are less dependent on hacking and more focused on copying official procedures,” Kumar said. “By using terms like pension, treasury, KYC, or bank updates, they mimic legitimate workflows. Once a victim clicks on a link or shares credentials, the account is effectively compromised.”
He stressed that the case proves experience, rank, or prior association with law enforcement does not guarantee safety. “Fraudsters are deliberately targeting retired police personnel and government officials because their institutional identity commands trust,” Kumar added.
Former Law Enforcers Now Targets
Police officials note a worrying trend: cybercriminals are increasingly targeting retired police officers, ex-servicemen, and senior government employees. Such victims are seen as financially stable and more likely to trust calls invoking official authority.
“The psychology of authority and urgency is central to these scams,” an investigator said. “Once fear or expectation sets in, verification often takes a back seat.”
Vigilance Remains the Only Shield
The Center for Police Technology reiterates that banks and government departments never ask for login credentials, passwords, or OTPs through calls or links. Any communication that creates urgency, fear, or promises quick financial gain should be treated as suspicious.
The Fatehpur incident serves as a stark reminder that in the digital era, vigilance is the strongest line of defence—whether one is an ordinary citizen or a former guardian of the law.
