Aligarh: A cyber fraud case involving the alleged theft of a businessman’s mobile phone and the fraudulent withdrawal of ₹780,000 through UPI transactions has come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district. Police allege that the crime was committed by the victim’s former driver, who removed the SIM card from the stolen phone, inserted it into his own device, created a UPI account, and spent the entire amount within a few days. The accused has been arrested, produced before a court, and remanded to judicial custody. Police also recovered two stolen mobile phones and a tablet from his possession.
According to police, the complainant is a zinc trader from the Saraigarh area. In his complaint filed with the Cyber Crime Police Station, he stated that his mobile phone went missing on April 26 while he had gone to purchase vegetables. Initially, he believed the phone had been misplaced or accidentally dropped. However, when he visited his bank on July 29 to check his account, he discovered that ₹780,000 had been withdrawn through multiple UPI transactions. He immediately lodged a complaint with the cyber police.
Following the complaint, investigators launched a technical investigation. During questioning, the businessman expressed suspicion about his former driver, Kunal Kumar, a resident of Samanapada in the Khair area. Based on digital evidence, banking records, mobile data, and other technical inputs, police tracked down and arrested the suspect on Saturday.
Police officials said the accused initially attempted to mislead investigators during interrogation but allegedly confessed after being confronted with technical evidence. The investigation revealed that he had resigned from his job on July 18. Police allege that he had stolen the businessman’s mobile phone from his residence on April 26. He then removed the SIM card from the stolen phone, inserted it into his own handset, and activated UPI services linked to the victim’s mobile number.
Investigators said the accused carried out multiple transactions between July 22 and July 28–29, fraudulently withdrawing a total of ₹780,000 from the victim’s bank account. According to police, the money was allegedly spent on shopping at malls, purchasing expensive mobile phones, and meeting other personal expenses. Investigators are analysing banking records, UPI transaction logs, and purchase details to trace the flow of funds. Police are also examining whether any other individual was involved in the scheme.
During the search operation, officers recovered two stolen mobile phones and a tablet from the accused. The seized electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination to analyse stored data, UPI transaction records, banking activity, and other digital evidence. Investigators believe the devices may provide crucial information about the execution of the fraud and any additional criminal links.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that mobile phones now serve not only as communication devices but also as gateways to banking services and digital identity. He advised that if a phone is lost or stolen, users should immediately block the SIM card, temporarily disable digital banking services linked to the device, and inform their bank without delay. He also recommended reporting the incident to the National Cyber Helpline 1930 and filing a complaint on the national cybercrime portal, as swift action during the initial hours significantly improves the chances of preventing further financial loss or recovering stolen funds. Police said the investigation is continuing, with financial transactions and other aspects of the case still under scrutiny.
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.
