What began as a routine attempt to resolve a banking issue turned into a financial nightmare for Sushil Kumar Navalani, a resident of Talanagari. On Thursday, Navalani lost ₹2 lakh after falling prey to cyber fraudsters posing as bank representatives.
His trouble began when his net banking froze. Searching on Google for his bank’s customer care number, he dialed a helpline that looked genuine. A calm voice assured him that the “bank manager” would personally assist him. Soon, he received a form on WhatsApp asking for his banking details. Trusting the source, he filled it out — within minutes, ₹1 lakh vanished, followed by another ₹1 lakh deduction.
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Hackers Block Alerts
The ordeal didn’t end there. According to officials, hackers gained access to his phone, preventing bank alerts from reaching him. Navalani only realized the extent of the fraud the next day, when dozens of transaction notifications arrived at once. Shocked, he rushed to the cyber police station, where an FIR was lodged. “Efforts are underway to trace the perpetrators,” confirmed station in-charge Surendra Kumar.
Experts Raise Alarm
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh explained how fraudsters exploit misplaced trust. “Scammers deliberately upload fake customer care numbers on Google. People rely on them, unknowingly handing over sensitive details,” he said. Singh stressed that no personal or banking details should ever be shared over phone, WhatsApp, or email. “Always verify numbers through the official bank website or mobile app. Even a small lapse can cost lakhs,” he cautioned.
Digital Age, New Risks
Cases like Navalani’s highlight how digital banking, while convenient, comes with heightened risks. Cybercrime today relies less on sophisticated hacking and more on social engineering — manipulating trust. Thousands across India fall victim to similar scams every month.
As the investigation progresses, experts remind users that vigilance is the strongest defense. In the digital age, protecting trust is as important as protecting technology.