Police have launched an investigation after ₹6.35 lakh was fraudulently transferred via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from the bank accounts of a Udupi-based engineer without his authorisation, officials said on Friday.
The fraud came to light after the complainant received a series of SMS alerts from his bank indicating multiple debit transactions that he had not initiated. Alarmed by the notifications, he checked his account statements and discovered that a substantial amount had been siphoned off through UPI transfers.
According to police, the victim immediately approached local authorities and lodged a formal complaint, following which a case was registered and a detailed probe was initiated.
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How the Fraud Came to Light
Police said the engineer noticed unusual debit alerts on his mobile phone linked to his bank accounts. On verification, he found that ₹6.35 lakh had been transferred without his consent through multiple UPI transactions.
Preliminary inquiries suggest that the fraudsters may have gained unauthorised access to the victim’s UPI credentials or exploited vulnerabilities in his mobile device or banking applications. Investigators are examining whether the incident involved phishing links, SIM swapping, malware installation or other commonly used cyber fraud techniques.
Cyber Cell Takes Over Investigation
The case has been handed over to the local cyber crime police station, which is analysing digital evidence, including transaction logs, device data and IP trails, to trace the origin of the unauthorised transfers.
A police official familiar with the investigation said authorities are also coordinating with the concerned bank and UPI service providers to track the flow of funds and identify the beneficiary accounts.
“Such cases often involve misuse of UPI credentials, but we are examining all possible angles, including phishing and malicious applications,” the official said, adding that the technical analysis is still at an early stage.
Rising UPI and Mobile Banking Frauds
Cyber fraud involving UPI and mobile banking platforms has been on the rise across the country, with offenders using increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive users into sharing sensitive information such as OTPs, UPI PINs or login credentials.
Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly cautioned users against responding to unsolicited calls, messages or links promising financial benefits, refunds or investment opportunities. In several recent cases across Karnataka, victims have lost significant sums after falling prey to fake job offers, bogus investment schemes and fraudulent online advertisements.
Police Advisory to the Public
Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant while using digital payment platforms and to avoid clicking on unknown links or sharing confidential banking details with anyone.
“Users should regularly monitor bank alerts and statements. If any unauthorised transaction is noticed, the bank and police must be informed immediately to improve the chances of recovery,” a cyber cell official said.
Investigators are continuing to examine whether the fraud involved multiple accounts and if the perpetrators are part of a wider cyber crime network operating beyond the district.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
