Imagine waking up to find ₹12 lakh suddenly credited to your bank account. For a Hyderabad man, what looked like a stroke of luck turned into a nightmare after cyber crooks drained ₹9 lakh using sophisticated tricks.
How It Started
The 40-year-old had recently applied for a loan but was rejected. Days later, without his consent, ₹12 lakh landed in his account. Shock soon turned to horror when fraudsters managed to hack into his mobile banking.
Police believe the victim unknowingly downloaded a malicious APK file, which gave scammers remote access to his phone. Using this, they quietly added four new beneficiaries to his bank account and transferred ₹9 lakh in quick transactions before he could react.
This kind of cyber fraud, where criminals deposit unsolicited money and then trick victims into losing their own has been on the rise. Just last week, a senior citizen in Mangaluru lost ₹25.7 lakh in a fake investment scheme, while in Ahmedabad, a 78-year-old was conned out of ₹39 lakh in a so-called “digital arrest” scam.
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Lessons for Everyone
Experts warn that if unexpected money shows up in your account, it should be treated as a serious red flag rather than a windfall. The first step is to immediately inform your bank and clarify the source of the funds. Just as important is avoiding the common trap of downloading suspicious apps or APK files shared over SMS or WhatsApp, as these often give fraudsters full access to your device. Keeping transaction alerts switched on, enabling two-factor authentication, and reporting any unusual activity without delay to both your bank and the cybercrime helpline (1930) are crucial steps in protecting yourself.
Cybercriminals are getting bolder—using fake loans, authority impersonations and tech hacks to trap unsuspecting people. In this case, the victim not only lost his savings but is also now saddled with a loan he never asked for.
Staying alert, questioning “too good to be true” offers, and acting fast can be the difference between safety and a very expensive lesson.