A suspected credit card fraud involving withdrawals worth ₹80,000 has led to the registration of a criminal case against six individuals, including three bank branch managers, in the Aurai police station area. The case was filed following an order by the Chief Judicial Magistrate after businessman Nirmal Kothari approached the court alleging fraudulent transactions from his credit card accounts.
Businessman’s Medical Condition Exploited
Nirmal Kothari, a resident of Jairampur village under Aurai police station limits, stated in his complaint that he has been suffering from memory-related health issues since a road accident in 2023 in which he sustained a head injury. He claimed that his medical condition was exploited by unknown callers who gained access to his credit card details and siphoned off money in instalments.
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Fake Credit Card Upgrade Call Extracts OTP
According to the complaint, Kothari was using credit cards issued by State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank. On April 6, 2024, he received a phone call from a person who introduced himself as a representative offering a new credit card and assistance with upgrading services. During the conversation, the caller allegedly persuaded him to share details of his existing card along with a one-time password (OTP).
₹80,000 Siphoned Across Three Bank Cards
Soon after the OTP was shared, his mobile number was allegedly compromised, preventing him from receiving real-time transaction alerts. On the same day, funds were transferred from his State Bank of India and HDFC Bank credit cards to a Mobikwik wallet account. Two days later, on April 8, withdrawals were also made from his Bank of Baroda credit card.
The transactions were reportedly executed in multiple instalments to avoid raising immediate suspicion. Altogether, ₹80,000 was debited across the three banks. Kothari alleged that the withdrawals were carried out without his consent and that he became aware of the full extent of the transactions only later.
Court Orders FIR Against 6, Including Managers
The court, after reviewing the complaint, directed that an FIR be registered. Following this, a case was lodged against six accused persons, including three branch managers. The complaint alleges lapses at the banking level and questions whether adequate safeguards were in place to flag or prevent suspicious transactions. However, the exact role of each accused will be determined during the course of the investigation.
Investigators are now examining detailed bank transaction records, digital trails, and call data to trace the flow of funds. The beneficiary accounts into which the money was transferred are also under scrutiny. Authorities are working to establish whether the fraud was the result of a coordinated network or an isolated incident.
The complainant has maintained that his post-accident medical condition made him particularly vulnerable. He alleged that the fraudsters carefully built trust during the phone call before extracting sensitive information. The hacking of his mobile number, he claimed, indicates prior planning and technical expertise.
With the case now formally registered, scrutiny has intensified around digital banking security and customer awareness. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will depend on the findings that emerge from the financial and digital analysis.
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.
