Dehradun police are probing a new cyber scam where a ₹1 payment trick is being used to loot bank accounts. In two recent cases, victims were asked to pay just one rupee online. After sharing their bank details and OTP, both lost ₹49,999 each.
In the first case, a fraudster pretended to be from a courier company and demanded ₹1 to deliver a parcel. In the second, the caller posed as a relative and requested a token transfer. In both incidents, once the details were shared, the money was drained instantly.
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Micro-Transaction Fraud on the Rise
Cybercrime experts describe this as a new form of “micro-transaction fraud,” where small, seemingly harmless requests are used to bait unsuspecting citizens. The deception lies not in the amount but in the trust it generates, opening the gateway to massive theft.
Professor Triveni Singh, former IPS officer and cybercrime specialist, explained:
“Criminals are no longer relying solely on technology; they exploit emotions and trust. A ₹1 request feels harmless, but it is the perfect entry point for a larger con.”
Psychological Manipulation Meets Technology
Experts note that the success of this fraud depends on a mix of technical precision and psychological manipulation. By making victims believe they are engaging in routine or familial transactions, scammers exploit natural trust and urgency. This dual approach has made such schemes particularly difficult to detect until the damage is done.
Citizens Urged to Stay Vigilant
Police and cyber experts are warning the public against sharing bank details or OTPs under any circumstances. Citizens are advised to verify unknown callers, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and immediately report any suspicious activity to the national cyber helpline 1930 or the portal cybercrime.gov.in.
As the fraud landscape evolves, experts say awareness is the most potent defense. What begins with a single rupee may end in a devastating financial loss — unless citizens learn to recognize the danger in disguise.