A district president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Minority Wing) became a victim of cyber fraud in Hasanpur, losing ₹35,000 to online scammers. The fraudsters hacked the mobile number of one of his close friends in Haridwar and used it to trick him.
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How the Cyber Fraud Happened
The victim, Shakeel Khan, heads the Hasanpur unit of the Bhakiyu Sangharsh Alpasankhyak Morcha. He received a message from what looked like his associate’s number. The message carried a suspicious link, which Khan clicked. Once he did, the fraudsters asked for multiple one-time passwords (OTPs). By the time he realized something was wrong, his bank account had already been debited.
Immediate Action Taken
After losing the money, Khan quickly informed his HDFC branch manager and froze his account to prevent further loss. He also filed a complaint with the Kotwali police station and the local cyber cell. Police have begun an investigation into the case.
Circle Officer Deep Kumar Pant issued a warning, advising people never to click on unknown links or share OTPs. He stressed that scammers often impersonate friends or colleagues to gain trust and commit fraud.
Rise of Digital Impersonation Scams
This case highlights the growing trend of digital impersonation scams in India. Cybercriminals often hack mobile numbers or social media accounts to target unsuspecting contacts. Experts say such frauds are spreading fast in smaller towns, where people may not be fully aware of online risks.
Expert Advice on Staying Safe
Cybersecurity specialists recommend a few safety tips:
- Verify messages by calling the sender directly.
- Never click on suspicious or unfamiliar links.
- Do not share OTPs, even with known contacts.
- Enable SMS alerts to track unauthorized transactions quickly.
For Khan, the incident has been a tough lesson in online safety. As police work to trace the fraudsters, this case adds to the growing number of cybercrime incidents troubling semi-urban and rural parts of Uttar Pradesh.