A 71-year-old shopkeeper in Ahmedabad has reported losing ₹85,000 from his Bank of Baroda account after his mobile phone became unresponsive following a software update notification.
The money was transferred through PhonePe without his knowledge, according to his police complaint. The incident has raised concerns about unexpected phone activity and unauthorised digital payments.
How Did the Incident Begin?
The complainant, a resident of Sardarnagar who runs a clothing-printing shop in Kubernagar, said he received a notification for a software update on October 5.
After the update, his phone reportedly stopped responding and could not be switched off. It remained unusable for some time before restarting. He later suspected that someone had gained access to the device during this period.
When Was the Missing Money Discovered?
Two days later, on October 7, the shopkeeper attempted to make a business payment of ₹5,000. The transaction failed because his account had insufficient funds.
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He checked his bank statement and discovered that ₹85,000 had been debited on October 5, the same day as the phone problem. The amount had been transferred through PhonePe to an unidentified recipient.
What Is Known About the Scam Method?
The complainant said he neither initiated nor authorised the payment. He believes the unexplained phone malfunction may have allowed an unknown person to access his device and transfer the money.
However, the precise method of access has not been established. It remains unclear whether the update notification itself was fraudulent or how the unauthorised payment was completed.
The sequence of events is particularly significant because the phone malfunction occurred before the victim discovered the missing money, raising questions about whether the two incidents were connected.
What Action Did the Victim Take?
After discovering the loss, the shopkeeper contacted the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, on October 7 and registered a complaint. He subsequently approached Airport police seeking action against the unidentified person responsible.
The complaint centres on the suspicious update, temporary loss of phone control and transfer from his bank account.
The420 Insight: How Can Users Reduce the Risk?
An unexpected update followed by an unresponsive phone should prompt immediate checks of linked bank accounts and payment apps. Users should verify updates through their device’s official settings rather than trusting unfamiliar prompts.
If an unauthorised debit appears, contacting the bank promptly and reporting the incident to 1930 can help ensure the transaction is flagged without delay.
