Patna: A young man in Patna has fallen victim to cybercrime, losing Rs 72,000 in fraudulent transactions over the course of a month. The victim, Rakesh Dubey, a resident of Naubatpur, was targeted by cybercriminals who lured him with messages promising discount coupons for household items.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The scam began when Dubey received multiple messages containing a link to claim discount coupons. After clicking the link, his bank account was compromised. He remained unaware of the fraud until December 24, when he updated his passbook and discovered that a total of Rs 72,000 had been transferred from his account in seven transactions to various other accounts.
All the unauthorized transactions were carried out through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transfers, with the money reportedly used for online purchases.
Legal Action and Investigation
Following the discovery, Dubey contacted the cybercrime toll-free helpline (1903) and lodged a formal complaint at the cyber police station in Patna on December 27.
Raghavendra Mani Tripathi, in charge of the Patna Cyber Police Station, confirmed the registration of a case based on Dubey’s written complaint. “Fake transactions were made from the victim’s account seven times, all involving online purchases. We are collecting transaction details to trace the accounts and identify the perpetrators,” Tripathi said.
The police have assured that further action will be taken once the fraudsters are identified.
Tips to Stay Safe
This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of cybercrime in India, with phishing scams and fraudulent UPI transactions becoming common methods for defrauding unsuspecting individuals.
- Avoid clicking on unsolicited links in messages or emails.
- Verify the authenticity of messages offering discounts or deals.
- Monitor bank statements and transactions regularly.
- Report suspicious activities immediately to your bank and the cybercrime helpline.
