Patna: A man in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district lost Rs 50,000 to cyber fraud after calling a mobile number written on the wall of an ATM room, believing it to be an official customer care helpline. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.
The victim, Ramlakhan Kumar, a resident of Khabra, had visited an ATM at Gobarsahi Chowk to withdraw cash when his debit card became stuck inside the machine. Despite repeated attempts, he was unable to retrieve the card.
Fake Helpline Number Used to Target Victim
According to the complaint, Ramlakhan noticed a mobile number written on the wall inside the ATM room and assumed it belonged to the bank or ATM service provider. He called the number seeking assistance.
The person who answered allegedly claimed to be a helpline representative and instructed the victim to press the “Cancel” and “Enter” buttons on the ATM machine. However, the card remained stuck.
Fraudsters Allegedly Lured Victim Away
The caller then told Ramlakhan that an ATM operator was being sent and asked him to wait at a nearby bank branch. When the victim reached the location, no one was present.
During this time, he began receiving SMS alerts showing that money had been withdrawn from his bank account. According to the complaint, a total of Rs 50,000 was withdrawn through multiple transactions of Rs 10,000 each.
Complaint Filed, Police Begin Investigation
After discovering the unauthorised withdrawals, Ramlakhan informed his bank about the incident. Bank officials advised him to lodge a police complaint to begin the refund process.
He subsequently filed an FIR at Sadar Police Station.
Sadar Station House Officer Navlesh Kumar said the case is under investigation. Police are examining CCTV footage from the ATM and nearby areas to identify those involved.
Investigators suspect the fraudsters retrieved the debit card from the ATM after directing the victim away from the location and then used it to withdraw money from the account.
Police Urge Public to Verify Helpline Numbers
Police have advised people not to rely on mobile numbers written on ATM walls or premises, as fraudsters often display fake contact details to deceive customers. In case of any problem with an ATM, customers should contact only the official customer care number printed on the ATM, the debit card, or the bank’s official website.
