Cyber Scam: Rs.12.30 Lakh Hacked from 60-Year-Old Man in Noida

Strategic Insights -

A 60-year-old man in Noida, India, lost Rs.12.30 lakh to cybercriminals who hacked his mobile phone on the pretext of a pending Indraprasthra Gas Limited (IGL) bill. The victim, Brij Bhusan Prasad, a retired employee of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), received a call from a suspect who informed him of a pending payment of Rs.12 on his IGL bill. The caller sent a link on WhatsApp, asking Prasad to make the payment, which resulted in his mobile phone being hacked. The suspect diverted Prasad's calls and messages, siphoning off Rs.12.30 lakh from his savings bank account and credit card in multiple transactions. After two days, Prasad discovered the fraud through messages from the bank, leading to a case being registered under sections 318 and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act. The cybercrime branch is working to identify the suspect and recover the stolen money, urging people not to click on any links provided by someone over the phone or social media.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 60-year-old man in Noida lost Rs.12.30 lakh to cybercriminals who hacked his mobile phone on the pretext of a pending IGL bill.
  • The victim received a call from a suspect who informed him of a pending payment of Rs.12 on his IGL bill, and was subsequently asked to make the payment through a WhatsApp link.
  • The suspect managed to divert the victim's calls and messages, siphoning off Rs.12.30 lakh from his savings bank account and credit card in multiple transactions.
  • A case has been registered under sections 318 and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act, with the cybercrime branch working to identify the suspect and recover the stolen money.
  • The incident highlights the need for caution when receiving calls or messages from unknown numbers, and the importance of verifying authenticity before proceeding.
  • IGL has been sensitizing its customers for six months through WhatsApp and social media to be aware of such scams and not click on any suspicious links.

Statistics:

  • Rs.12.30 lakh was hacked from the victim's savings bank account and credit card in multiple transactions.
  • The incident occurred on July 11 in Noida, India.
  • A case was registered under sections 318 and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act on July 15.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, "Rs 12.30 lakh hacked from 60-year-old man in Noida on pretext of pending IGL bill" (no date provided)