Prayagraj. Around ₹1.55 lakh was allegedly withdrawn without authorization from the bank account of Pooja Pal, MLA from the Chail Assembly constituency in Kaushambi. According to the complaint, multiple transactions were carried out through PhonePe and UPI between August 22 and September 13, 2026. The MLA came to know about the transactions on September 14 after checking her bank account statement. An FIR was subsequently registered against an unidentified person at Dhoomanganj police station. The matter is being investigated with the assistance of the cyber cell.
According to the complaint, the MLA holds an account with the Union Bank of India branch in Dhoomanganj, Prayagraj. On examining the account statement, several transactions were found to have been carried out between August 22 and September 13 without her knowledge or authorization. The transactions resulted in the withdrawal of approximately ₹1.55 lakh from the account.
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The MLA has suspected that her iPhone may have been accessed without authorization. She has expressed concern that, apart from banking information, other private and important data stored on the device may also have been compromised. However, whether the money was withdrawn by gaining access to the mobile phone or through another method will be established only after the investigation is completed.
Following the complaint, police registered the case and began an investigation into the alleged cyber fraud. With the assistance of the cyber cell, investigators are examining the mobile phone, PhonePe account, UPI transactions and the concerned bank account. A key part of the investigation is to determine the device, account, UPI channel or other digital means through which the unauthorized transactions were carried out.
The MLA has requested a detailed investigation into all PhonePe and UPI transactions conducted between August 22 and September 13. She has also sought examination of the UTR numbers and transaction IDs associated with each payment so that investigators can trace the destination of the money and establish the complete transaction trail.
Police are also examining where the withdrawn money was transferred and which bank accounts or digital payment channels may have received it. Transaction details, dates and times of payments and other related digital records are being scrutinized. A technical examination of the mobile device is also expected to be important because the complaint raises the possibility that the device may have been accessed or misused without authorization.
An FIR has been registered against an unidentified person, and there has been no information so far about any arrest in the case. Investigators are trying to establish the method used to withdraw the money and determine whether any vulnerability involving the mobile phone or digital payment applications was exploited.
The MLA has sought recovery of the approximately ₹1.55 lakh allegedly withdrawn from her account and requested measures to prevent any further unauthorized withdrawals. She has also sought an investigation into the security of personal data stored on her mobile phone.
According to police, the exact method used in the alleged unauthorized withdrawals and the role of any individuals involved will become clear after the digital evidence is examined. At present, investigators are focusing on banking records, PhonePe and UPI transaction data, and technical evidence from the mobile device as part of the investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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