New Delhi: Cyber criminals in the capital have adopted a sophisticated new method of financial fraud, combining WhatsApp account hacking with misuse of call forwarding services to gain unauthorised access to bank accounts. In a recent case reported from south-east Delhi, ₹6.98 lakh was siphoned off from the bank account of a schoolteacher. Based on the victim’s complaint, cyber police have registered a case of cheating and initiated an investigation.
WhatsApp compromise set the stage
According to sources associated with the probe, the 52-year-old victim lives in the Jamia Nagar area and is employed as a teacher in a municipal school. During July–August last year, she suddenly lost access to her WhatsApp account. Soon after, the account’s display picture was changed and suspicious links were sent to contacts, allegedly posing as traffic challans or official notices.
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None of the recipients clicked on the links. The victim later contacted WhatsApp support and regained access to her account. At the time, the incident was believed to be a technical glitch, but subsequent developments pointed towards a well-planned cyber fraud.
Call forwarding used to bypass security
The next phase of the fraud surfaced when family members were unable to reach the victim over phone calls. On checking the call forwarding status, it was found that all incoming voice and video calls from her mobile number had been diverted to two unknown numbers.
Cyber security experts say this step enabled fraudsters to intercept OTPs and bank verification calls, effectively neutralising key security layers. This gave them uninterrupted access to UPI and other digital banking services linked to the victim’s number.
Bank account emptied in a day
On August 29, 2025, the victim began receiving alerts indicating repeated debit transactions from her bank account. An internal check revealed that a new UPI ID had been created using her mobile number. Through this ID, multiple transactions were carried out, resulting in a total loss of ₹6,98,332.
The amount was withdrawn from her account with Bank of Baroda. Realising the fraud, the victim immediately informed the bank, had the account frozen, and submitted a written complaint along with digital evidence to the cyber cell.
Warning from research institution
Cyber crime research body Future Crime Research Foundation has flagged a sharp rise in cases involving misuse of call forwarding features in recent months. Its studies indicate that criminals are increasingly exploiting telecom settings and messaging platforms to silently bypass security mechanisms without alerting users.
Former IPS officer’s assessment
Former IPS officer and renowned cyber crime expert Triveni Singh has warned that cyber fraud techniques have evolved far beyond traditional scam calls and messages. According to him, call forwarding has emerged as a “silent risk” for mobile users, as it allows OTPs and banking verification processes to be intercepted without the victim’s knowledge.
Police investigation underway
Cyber police are examining how the call forwarding was activated, the SIMs or networks involved, and the trail of funds transferred to various accounts or digital wallets. Technical logs, IP details and UPI transaction data are being analysed to identify those behind the fraud.
Vigilance remains the best defence
Police and cyber security experts have urged citizens not to click on unknown links, to periodically check call forwarding settings on their phones, and to keep all security features enabled on banking and payment apps. They caution that even minor negligence can result in significant financial losses.
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.
