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A 75-year-old pensioner in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district has allegedly lost more than ₹8.49 lakh after a cybercriminal impersonating a bank official persuaded him to disclose sensitive personal information and a one-time password (OTP) under the pretext of helping him download his life certificate.
The victim, identified as Kishanlal Ahirwar, lost money from two accounts, including a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account, after following instructions provided by the caller.
Police have registered a case based on an electronically received Zero FIR and are examining the financial transactions and telephone number associated with the suspected fraudster.
The incident comes during the annual life certificate submission period, when pensioners across India complete verification procedures required to continue receiving their pensions.
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Fake Bank Official Targets Pensioner Seeking Life Certificate
According to the complaint, Ahirwar, a resident of Bundela Colony in Datia, was attempting to download his life certificate using his mobile phone at around 10 am on November 12.
He received a call from an unidentified person claiming to work at the Central Bank of India’s headquarters in Mumbai.
The caller told Ahirwar that he was following an incorrect procedure and offered to guide him through the process.
Believing that he was receiving genuine assistance from a bank employee, the pensioner followed the caller’s instructions and disclosed his Aadhaar number.
The suspected fraudster subsequently obtained an OTP received on Ahirwar’s mobile phone and instructed him to enter the code on his device.
Unauthorised financial transactions followed.
The complaint describes the incident as involving the compromise of Ahirwar’s mobile phone. However, investigators have not publicly disclosed whether the attacker used malicious software, fraudulent authentication requests or another method to gain access to his financial accounts.
The precise mechanism remains an important aspect of the investigation.
Fraudsters Target Two Bank Accounts, Including Retirement Savings
The suspected fraudster allegedly withdrew ₹2,72,973 from Ahirwar’s account at the Central Bank of India’s Gandhi Road branch in Datia.
A further ₹5,76,850 was reportedly transferred from his PPF account at ICICI Bank’s Pinto Park branch in Gwalior.
The combined loss amounted to ₹8,49,823.
The second transaction is particularly significant because PPF accounts are generally used for long-term savings and operate under specific withdrawal conditions.
Police have not disclosed how the suspected fraudster accessed the PPF account or whether the transfer involved additional authentication or banking procedures.
Ahirwar discovered the fraud after learning that money had been deducted from his accounts and subsequently approached the police.
Investigators are gathering banking records and information associated with the caller to establish where the money was transferred and identify those responsible.
No arrests or recovery of the stolen funds have been reported so far.
Pensioners Face Rising Risks During Life Certificate Submission Period
The Datia investigation highlights how cybercriminals exploit routine government and banking procedures to target elderly citizens.
A life certificate establishes that a pension recipient is alive and remains eligible to receive pension payments. Pensioners generally submit this document annually through their pension-disbursing authority.
The government’s Jeevan Pramaan initiative allows eligible pensioners to generate digital life certificates using Aadhaar-based authentication, reducing the need to visit banks or government offices personally.
However, criminals exploit unfamiliarity with digital procedures by impersonating banking officials, pension authorities or service providers.
The Central Pension Accounting Office has issued an advisory specifically warning pensioners against callers offering assistance with updating life certificates.
According to the advisory, fraudsters may request Pension Payment Order numbers, dates of birth, Aadhaar details and banking information before persuading victims to disclose OTPs.
The office has clarified that government agencies and banks do not call pensioners to obtain confidential information or OTPs for annual life certificate submission.
While legitimate digital certification procedures may involve authentication, individuals should complete these steps only through official platforms or authorised service providers.
Indore Police Recently Recovered ₹2 Lakh In Similar Pension Fraud
The latest incident follows another life certificate fraud reported in Madhya Pradesh earlier this month.
On November 10, Indore Police disclosed that a 76-year-old retired education department employee had been cheated of ₹2 lakh after responding to a Facebook advertisement offering doorstep life certificate services.
The operators sent the pensioner a fraudulent link and persuaded him to enter banking information.
After the victim reported the unauthorised withdrawal, investigators discovered that the criminals had used his money to place online shopping orders scheduled for delivery in West Bengal.
Police coordinated with the relevant e-commerce companies to cancel the orders before delivery, securing the return of the entire ₹2 lakh within 24 hours.
The two investigations have not been linked to the same criminal network.
However, both demonstrate how fraudsters use legitimate pension verification requirements to obtain access to elderly citizens’ financial information.
The Indore recovery also illustrates the importance of reporting suspicious transactions immediately, before the money is withdrawn, transferred further or used to purchase goods.
For pensioners completing their annual verification, assistance should be obtained directly from their pension-disbursing bank, authorised Jeevan Pramaan centres or recognised doorstep banking service providers.
What This Means For You:
Never share banking OTPs, PINs or confidential pension details with unsolicited callers offering life certificate assistance; use jeevanpramaan.gov.in or your bank’s official services. If money is withdrawn without your permission, immediately inform your bank, call 1930 and register a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
