Two police personnel — a head constable posted at Hindon Airport and a sub-inspector serving in Etah district — have fallen victim to cyber fraudsters. The scammers allegedly hacked their phones and withdrew ₹1.35 lakh from the head constable’s account and ₹45,000 from the sub-inspector’s account. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Tila Mor police station, and the case has now been handed over to the Cyber Cell for investigation, nearly two months after the complaint was filed.
Money siphoned off after phone hacking
Head Constable Ravish Kumar reported that the incident took place on September 6, around 4:45 a.m., when he received a message indicating a withdrawal of ₹10,000 from his bank account. At the time, both his mobile phone and ATM card were with him, and he had made no transaction.
By 6:20 a.m., within less than two hours, ₹1.35 lakh had been withdrawn through 12 separate transactions from his two bank accounts. Ravish said he immediately tried to contact the bank to freeze his accounts, but panic caused delays, allowing the hackers to complete the transfers.
Delayed action on the complaint
The constable said he promptly informed the Cyber Cell and repeatedly requested that a case be registered, but officers only assured him that an inquiry was underway. The matter was formally registered after nearly two months.
During the probe, investigators discovered that the same cybercriminal had also targeted Sub-Inspector Harendra Singh, posted in Etah district, and had transferred ₹45,000 from his account to another account. The fraudster reportedly withdrew the amount immediately on the same day as the earlier transactions.
Sub-inspector demands refund from victim
Ravish Kumar stated that the ₹45,000 defrauded from the sub-inspector’s account had temporarily been transferred to his account before being withdrawn by the cybercriminal. Following this, Sub-Inspector Harendra Singh began pressuring him to return the money, assuming Ravish was responsible.
“I am a victim myself, but the hacker used my account as a conduit to defraud another officer,” Ravish said. The situation has left both officers financially and mentally distressed, highlighting how even law enforcement personnel are not immune to cyber threats.
Case registered, Cyber Cell begins investigation
ACP Shalimar Garden Atul Kumar confirmed that a case has been registered based on the head constable’s complaint and that the matter has been transferred to the Cyber Cell for a technical investigation.
The Cyber Cell team is examining bank transaction records, mobile phone data, and digital footprints to identify the fraudsters. Preliminary findings suggest that the criminals used remote access tools or advanced mobile hacking software to gain control over the victims’ devices.
Police personnel increasingly targeted by cybercriminals
Cyber experts have warned that cyber fraudsters are no longer limiting themselves to civilians; police officers and government employees are now being targeted as well. Officials say the case underscores the growing sophistication of cybercrime networks and the urgent need to strengthen data protection mechanisms.
Police have urged the public — including their own personnel — to remain vigilant against unknown links, suspicious apps, and unsolicited calls, and to immediately report any unusual banking activity through the 1930 cybercrime helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
