Bhopal Cyber Crime Branch Investigates Major Scam of Rs 6.83 Lakh

Strategic Insights -

Ramkishan Chauhan, a former BJP MLA from Bhojpur, fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud in Bhopal, where his ATM card was cloned, resulting in the unauthorized withdrawal of Rs 6.83 lakh from his Punjab National Bank (PNB) account through 54 transactions between February 2 and May 1, 2025. Chauhan's suspicions were raised when he received a transaction alert for a mere Rs 92 on May 5, prompting him to visit the PNB branch and discover the massive fraud. The Bhopal Cyber Crime Branch has registered an FIR and is investigating the case, with cyber experts assisting in the probe.

Key Takeaways:

  • The scam involved the cloning of Ramkishan Chauhan's ATM card, which was used to withdraw Rs 6.83 lakh from his Punjab National Bank (PNB) account through 54 unauthorized transactions between February 2 and May 1, 2025.
  • Preliminary investigations suggest that a card cloning device was installed at an ATM booth in Arera Colony, where Chauhan had withdrawn cash in February.
  • The stolen data was likely used to create a duplicate card, enabling the fraudulent transactions.
  • Cyber experts have been roped in to assist with the investigation, which is being treated with utmost seriousness.
  • Despite the efforts, sources indicate that Chauhan is disappointed with the lack of progress in recovering the stolen amount, highlighting the challenges in tackling sophisticated cybercrimes.
  • The investigation is ongoing, with the Bhopal Cyber Crime Branch analyzing CCTV footage from the ATM booth to identify the perpetrators and trace the locations of the transactions.

Statistics:

  • Rs 6.83 lakh was withdrawn from Chauhan's account through 54 unauthorized transactions between February 2 and May 1, 2025.
  • The transactions were identified after Chauhan received a transaction alert for a mere Rs 92 on May 5, prompting him to investigate.
  • The Bhopal Cyber Crime Branch has registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the case.

Sources:

  • The Hitavada
  • Contify.com