Mumbai: A 56-year-old woman from Jogeshwari allegedly lost ₹44,560 from her bank account after clicking on a suspicious link while searching for patriotic songs for an Independence Day celebration. The incident occurred after she searched online for songs to be played at a programme in her housing society. Shortly after opening a link that claimed to offer several patriotic songs at one place, her mobile phone suddenly switched off. When she restarted it, she found messages showing that money had been withdrawn from her account through three separate transactions.
The woman, identified by police using a changed name, approached the authorities after discovering the unauthorised withdrawals. Cybercrime officials are now examining how the suspicious link may have been used to gain access to her device or banking-related information and whether any malicious application, file or other digital tool was involved.
Suspicious link appeared during song search
According to the complaint, the woman was preparing for an Independence Day event at her residential society and needed patriotic songs for the programme. She had been searching Google for different songs for about two days. A day before Independence Day, she received a link claiming that several patriotic songs were available for download at a single location.
She opened the link expecting to access the songs. Soon afterwards, however, her phone suddenly shut down. After switching it back on, she received bank alerts showing that three transactions had been carried out from her account. The combined amount withdrawn was ₹44,560.
The incident raised suspicion that the link may have been designed to lure users into a fraudulent digital setup. Investigators are examining the technical details of the transactions and the device to determine how the money was transferred and whether the victim’s phone was compromised after the link was opened.
Cybercriminals exploit public emotions
The incident highlights how cybercriminals increasingly use popular events, national occasions and emotional themes to attract potential victims. During Independence Day celebrations, links offering patriotic songs, greeting messages, special offers, government-related information or content connected with the armed forces can circulate widely.
Such links may appear harmless but can redirect users to fake websites, malicious download pages or other fraudulent platforms. Cybercriminals can also use urgency, curiosity and emotional appeal to encourage people to click before verifying the source.
A Researcher at Algoritha Security said cybercriminals often adapt their lures according to current events and public interest. A link connected to a familiar national occasion can appear more trustworthy simply because its subject is relevant. Users should independently verify the source before opening links, particularly when the link asks them to download a file, install an application or provide personal or financial information.
The incident also underlines the risks associated with downloading files or applications from unknown websites. A user may not immediately realise that a malicious file has been installed or that a device has been exposed to unauthorised access.
Similar frauds reported in the past
The use of patriotic and national-security themes in cyber fraud is not new. In May 2025, following Operation Sindoor, a message circulated on social media seeking financial contributions in the name of an alleged army welfare initiative. The message reportedly referred to actor Akshay Kumar and claimed government backing. Cybercrime authorities later identified the message as fraudulent.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, scammers similarly exploited public concern by circulating fake government assistance schemes and requests to help affected families. Fraudsters used bank accounts and QR codes to collect money from unsuspecting victims.
These cases demonstrate how cybercriminal networks frequently modify their methods according to major events and public sentiment. National celebrations, emergencies and widely discussed developments can therefore become opportunities for criminals to create convincing-looking scams.
Police advise caution over unknown links
Cybercrime officials have urged citizens not to open links received from unknown numbers, social media accounts or unverified websites. People have also been advised not to install applications or download files simply because they are offered through an unsolicited message.
Banking credentials, OTPs, PINs, passwords and other sensitive information should never be shared with strangers or entered on unverified websites. Users should also carefully check the web address and source before downloading any digital content.
In cases involving unauthorised bank transactions, victims should immediately inform their bank and report the incident to the cybercrime authorities. Prompt reporting can improve the chances of tracing the money and taking action against the accounts through which the funds were transferred.
The Jogeshwari case is now being investigated to establish the exact method used in the alleged fraud, identify the destination of the stolen money and determine whether the suspicious link was part of a wider cybercrime network targeting people through Independence Day-related content.
