Bahraich: A cyber fraud case has been reported in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, where more than ₹6.92 lakh was allegedly siphoned from the bank account of a police inspector within just 35 minutes. The victim, posted at Motipur police station, said the incident occurred on his birthday and claimed that he had neither downloaded any suspicious application nor shared an OTP with anyone.
According to the officer, a total of ₹6,92,550 was withdrawn through 11 transactions from his account with a Bank of Baroda branch in Maharajganj district. The money was allegedly transferred to accounts maintained with City Bank and Yes Bank. The officer said he contacted the banks after discovering the transactions and requested that the funds be put on hold, but alleged that immediate action could not be taken.
11 Transactions Within 35 Minutes
The officer said the suspected cyber fraudsters carried out a series of transactions within a short period, transferring money out of his bank account. In all, 11 transactions amounting to ₹6,92,550 were allegedly completed within approximately 35 minutes.
The money was reportedly routed to different accounts, including accounts linked to City Bank and Yes Bank. Investigators will now have to examine the transaction trail to determine the exact accounts that received the funds and whether the money was subsequently moved to other accounts.
The speed at which the transactions were allegedly carried out has raised questions about how the fraudsters gained access to the victim’s banking facilities and whether any automated or digitally enabled mechanism was used.
Victim Claims No Suspicious App or OTP Sharing
The police officer has claimed that he had not installed any suspicious mobile application before the incident. He also said he had not disclosed his OTP or other sensitive banking information to an unknown person.
Despite these claims, money was allegedly withdrawn from his account through multiple transactions. The circumstances have prompted questions about how unauthorised access may have been obtained.
Investigators can examine the officer’s mobile phone, banking applications, login activity and transaction records to establish whether the account was accessed through a compromised device, credentials, payment facility or another digital route.
Bank Helplines Contacted After Fraud
After noticing the unauthorised transactions, the officer said he immediately contacted the City Bank helpline in Maharajganj and informed the bank about the alleged fraud. He requested that the transactions be stopped and the transferred funds be placed on hold.
However, the complainant alleged that he was told that action would be taken after the bank opened. By then, the money may have already been moved through the receiving accounts.
The officer also contacted the manager of a Yes Bank branch in Maharajganj and requested that the concerned account be frozen and the funds held. According to his account, the money could not be blocked immediately.
Transaction Trail Under Scrutiny
Tracing the alleged ₹6.92 lakh is expected to be a key part of the investigation. Investigators will seek to establish which accounts received the money, identify their holders and determine whether the funds were subsequently transferred elsewhere.
Bank records can also help establish the timing and sequence of the transactions. Details such as transaction channels, login activity, device information and other digital records may be examined to determine how the alleged unauthorised transfers were initiated.
Need for Rapid Response in Cyber Fraud
The case highlights the importance of immediate action after detecting suspicious banking activity. Cyber fraudsters can rapidly move money through multiple accounts, making early intervention crucial for any possibility of freezing the funds.
The officer has claimed that he contacted the banks soon after discovering the transactions. Investigators may also examine the response provided by the concerned banking channels and whether any funds could have been blocked after the complaint was received.
The immediate priority is to identify the suspected fraudsters, establish how the officer’s banking facilities were accessed and trace the complete money trail. The case also underlines that unauthorised digital transactions can occur even when a victim claims not to have shared an OTP, making prompt reporting of unusual account activity essential.
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.
