Prayagraj: A shocking case of cyber fraud has emerged in the city, where a lawyer lost ₹1.98 lakh from his bank accounts after making a seemingly harmless ₹2 online payment for gas booking verification. The incident exposes a new tactic used by cybercriminals and serves as a serious warning for the public. Following the complaint, an investigation has been initiated.
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According to the complaint filed by advocate Ravindra Singh, a resident of Ashok Nagar, he searched online for a mobile number to book an LPG gas cylinder on May 1. Upon calling the number found through search results, the person on the other end claimed to be associated with a gas agency.
During the conversation, the caller convinced the victim that a nominal payment of ₹2 was required as a “verification fee” to process the booking. Trusting the caller, the victim proceeded to transfer the amount through the suggested method.
₹2 payment opens the door to fraud
As soon as the payment was made, the victim’s mobile phone was allegedly compromised. Experts say such scams often involve techniques like malicious links, fake payment gateways, or unauthorized access permissions that allow fraudsters to gain control over the device.
Once access was established, the cybercriminals quickly infiltrated the victim’s banking applications. Within minutes, multiple transactions were executed from two separate bank accounts, resulting in a total loss of ₹1,98,902.
The victim became aware of the fraud only after receiving transaction alerts from the bank. By then, the entire amount had already been siphoned off. He immediately informed the bank and approached the police, but the damage had already been done.
Changing tactics of cybercriminals
Experts point out that fraudsters are no longer asking for large sums upfront. Instead, they use small transactions like ₹2 to make the process appear legitimate and risk-free. Once the user complies, they exploit vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive data or banking credentials.
Common pretexts used in such scams include gas booking, KYC updates, electricity bill payments, and bank verification processes. These scenarios are designed to appear routine, making it easier to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “Cybercriminals today are using small transactions as entry points. Once the user trusts the process, they apply social engineering techniques to gain control over devices or accounts, leading to significant financial losses.” He emphasized that awareness and caution are the most effective defenses against such evolving threats.
Following the complaint, police have launched an investigation into the matter. Authorities are examining the mobile number used in the fraud, bank transaction trails, and other technical evidence. Efforts are underway to trace the accused with the help of cyber experts. Officials indicated that identifying the network behind such scams is a priority, as similar cases have been reported in recent times.
How to stay safe
Experts advise users to rely only on official websites or mobile applications for services like gas booking. Contact numbers obtained through random online searches should be verified before use.
Users should avoid making even small payments without proper authentication. It is also crucial not to click on unknown links, share sensitive information, or grant screen-sharing permissions to unknown callers.
