A senior citizen in Nagpur’s Hazari Pahad narrowly escaped a major financial fraud after a sharp-eyed bank official detected a SIM swap attempt. The accused, posing as a customer, manipulated trust and technology to almost access the victim’s bank account. The case exposes how traditional deceit is being paired with digital exploitation to target the elderly.
A Hall Booking Turns Into a Digital Trap
On April 21, what began as a routine inquiry for a celebration hall booking quickly turned into an audacious case of cyber fraud in Nagpur. Murlidhar Mahadeorao Gajbhiye, a 70-year-old owner of Shri Sant Gajanan Celebration Hall in Dabha, was approached by Sattar Kutubuddin Ansari, 50, under the pretext of booking the venue. In a calculated move, Ansari requested Gajbhiye’s phone to make a call and discreetly swapped the SIM card with a forged duplicate.
Bank Alert Prevents Financial Breach
Soon after acquiring the victim’s SIM, Ansari visited a local branch of Canara Bank in an attempt to update the victim’s KYC details using the fraudulent SIM. However, the bank officials, well-versed in red flag procedures, sensed inconsistencies during the process. They immediately reached out to Gajbhiye, uncovering the fraud in real-time. Ansari was apprehended on the spot before he could access the victim’s financial details.
Legal Action Under New Criminal Code
The Gittikhadan Police acted swiftly, arresting Ansari and registering an FIR under Sections 319(2), 318(4), 336(3), 336(4), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to PSI Gede, the accused is in custody and further investigation is in progress. The case underscores the need for public awareness and digital literacy, particularly among the elderly, as cybercriminals increasingly blur the lines between physical and digital deception.