In a growing wave of online financial frauds, a 59-year-old retired BSNL employee became a victim of cybercrime and lost ₹2.38 lakh. The fraudster allegedly posed as a bank employee and created a fake technical issue related to the victim’s credit card application to gain trust and extract personal information. After the victim clicked a suspicious link sent by the accused, money was withdrawn from the credit card account through OTP-based transactions. Police have initiated an investigation after receiving the complaint.
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Scam Execution: Trust-Building via Fake Bank Call
The victim is a resident of the Ambawadi area of Ahmedabad. He had applied online for a credit card in November last year. Shortly after submitting the application, he received a call from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as a bank employee and claimed that a technical error had occurred in the credit card processing. He asked the victim to send his PAN card and pension-related documents via email to resolve the issue.
Believing the caller, the victim shared his PAN card and salary slip details. On December 5, the accused sent a link and instructed him to open it, claiming that a video call would begin to verify card eligibility. As soon as the victim clicked the link, a video call was initiated. The fraudster asked him to show another bank card on the pretext of verification. During this process, the victim started receiving multiple OTP messages on his mobile phone.
Within minutes, two transactions were carried out from the victim’s credit card account, siphoning off a total of ₹2.38 lakh. When the victim received an alert message about the deduction, he realised he had been cheated and immediately called the cybercrime helpline number 1930 to report the incident. Following the complaint, the Satellite police registered a case and started an investigation.
Investigators said cyber fraudsters usually target elderly individuals and those with limited experience in online banking. The accused typically build trust by posing as bank employees or technical support staff and then obtain sensitive information. In such cases, OTPs or shared links become the primary tools used to commit fraud.
Police Warnings and Ongoing Probe
Police have advised people not to share bank account details, PAN card numbers, OTPs or passwords with unknown callers. They also warned against responding to part-time job offers, high-profit investment schemes or unsolicited financial opportunities received through social media or phone calls. Officials emphasised that banks never ask customers for OTPs or confidential information over the phone.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are trying to trace the mobile number used to contact the victim. Technical analysis is being conducted to identify the cyber fraud network involved in the crime. Authorities said further action will be taken once the investigation is completed.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
