JEYPORE | A 47-year-old cancer patient from Odisha’s Jeypore town was left devastated after cybercriminals siphoned off ₹8.97 lakh—money saved for his upcoming surgery—by sending him a malicious WhatsApp link disguised as an official RTO challan file. The incident has triggered alarm across the region, especially as a second victim was targeted using the same method on the same day.
Medical Savings Vanish Days Before Surgery
The victim, Sadananda Samantaray, a schoolteacher from Turudiput village under Jeypore block, had painstakingly saved the amount for cancer treatment scheduled later this week. According to police, Sadananda received a WhatsApp message late Sunday evening containing an APK file, claiming it related to an unpaid RTO challan.
Mistaking the message for a legitimate government notice, he downloaded the file on his smartphone. Unknown to him, the APK installed malware that provided cybercriminals remote access to his phone and banking applications. Within hours, his entire savings were transferred out of his HDFC Bank account at Tankua branch through multiple unauthorized transactions.
Bank Confirms Zero Balance; Family Alerts Police
The fraud was discovered Monday morning when a family member visited the bank to withdraw money for medical expenses. Bank officials informed them that the account balance was zero.
“We were shattered. This money was meant for his operation,” said Santosh Samantaray, a relative of the victim. The family immediately informed the bank and filed a complaint with the Koraput Cyber Police Station.
Another Resident Duped of ₹1.83 Lakh
In a second incident reported the same day, K. Venkatesh, a tailor from Tankua village under Jeypore Sadar police limits, lost ₹1.83 lakh to an identical WhatsApp scam. Venkatesh also received a fake RTO challan message with an APK attachment and downloaded it unknowingly. He discovered the fraud only after checking his bank account the following day.
Police believe both cases are linked and carried out by the same cyber syndicate, which is circulating malware-laced APK files posing as official notices.
Cyber Police Register Cases, Begin Technical Probe
Confirming the incidents, Bhabani Pradhan, Inspector-in-Charge of Koraput Cyber Police Station, said two separate FIRs have been registered.
“We are tracing the digital trail and have sought technical support to identify IP addresses, devices and transaction routes used by the fraudsters,” Pradhan said. He added that the funds were siphoned off through layered micro-transactions, making immediate recovery challenging.
Police Issue Warning, Launch Awareness Drive
Cyber police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on links or downloading files received via WhatsApp, especially APK files claiming to be from government departments or banks.
“Government agencies do not send APK files through messaging apps. Always verify information through official websites,” Pradhan warned. Residents have been advised to report suspicious activity immediately via the 1930 cybercrime helpline or cybercrime.gov.in.
