Palwal: A woman in Haryana’s Palwal district has lost more than ₹1.75 lakh in a WhatsApp-based cyber fraud after scammers posed as bank customer care executives and tricked her into sharing sensitive banking information.
According to police, the incident occurred in the Hasanpur police station area. The victim, identified as Madhu, stated in her complaint that she received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number on the morning of February 5. The caller claimed there was a technical issue with her UPI account and said a “verification process” was required to resolve it.
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During the conversation, the fraudster gained access to confidential banking details. Minutes later, ₹1,75,682 was withdrawn from her account through multiple digital transactions.
Realising she had been cheated, the woman immediately informed the police. The cybercrime unit registered a case and launched an investigation. Officials said bank transaction records, call data and digital logs are being analysed to trace the money trail and identify where the funds were routed.
Investigators believe the fraud was executed in a planned manner. The caller first built trust by posing as a customer care representative, then created urgency by citing a UPI-related problem. Once the victim shared key information, the amount was swiftly siphoned off.
Cyber officials said such scams typically rely on social engineering rather than technical hacking. Criminals exploit fear and urgency—using phrases like “account suspension”, “re-verification” or “refund processing”—to pressure victims into revealing OTPs, UPI PINs or account credentials.
Police have reiterated that no bank or payment service provider ever asks for OTPs, UPI PINs or account details over phone calls or messages. Sharing such information can lead to immediate financial loss.
Authorities added that victims who notice suspicious transactions should contact their bank at once to block affected accounts or UPI IDs and lodge a complaint on the national cybercrime portal. Early reporting, especially within the first few hours, significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transfers.
Cyber officers in Palwal said UPI- and WhatsApp-linked fraud cases have been rising steadily in the district. In many incidents, scammers impersonate banks, courier companies or service providers to appear legitimate. Once confidence is gained, funds are moved rapidly through multiple accounts to make recovery difficult.
The cyber police station in-charge said technical analysis in this case has been intensified and suspect beneficiary accounts are being identified. Investigators are also examining whether the fraud is linked to a larger inter-state cybercrime network.
Law enforcement agencies have advised citizens to use only official banking apps and verified helpline numbers for any account-related queries. Users are urged not to click on unknown links, avoid responding to “urgent action” messages, and keep two-factor authentication enabled on all financial applications. Regular software and security updates on mobile devices are also essential, officials said.
Residents have further been cautioned to stay alert for warning signs such as unexpected calls claiming account issues, requests for confidential information, or sudden instructions to install apps or share codes. Any such attempt should be reported immediately.
Police confirmed that the case remains under investigation and efforts are underway to track the accused through digital evidence and transaction trails.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
