Agra: Cybercriminals are finding new ways to breach bank accounts even when people remain alert to suspicious calls. In a shocking case reported in Agra, an 80-year-old lawyer lost ₹22.88 lakh despite suspecting a fraudulent call, disconnecting it immediately and visiting his bank to secure his savings in fixed deposits (FDs). Within days, the entire amount was withdrawn from his accounts. He discovered the fraud after receiving a bank alert. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation, examining possible mobile phone hacking and the potential involvement of bank employees.
₹12 Payment Requested in the Name of Gas Subsidy
The elderly lawyer, a resident of Rakabganj, holds an account with Federal Bank. According to his complaint to the police, he received a phone call on September 29 from a person claiming to be an authorised employee of Green Gas. The caller told him that a gas subsidy was due to be credited to his account and asked him to pay just ₹12 to receive the amount.
The lawyer became suspicious because he had discontinued his piped natural gas (PNG) connection approximately a year earlier. Realising that the subsidy claim did not make sense, he immediately disconnected the call without making any payment.
Although refusing to engage with a suspicious caller is an important precaution against cyber fraud, it did not prevent the subsequent loss of his money.
₹22.88 Lakh Transferred into Fixed Deposits
The following day, September 30, the lawyer visited his bank to protect his savings. He converted the total balance of ₹22.88 lakh held across three savings accounts into fixed deposits.
He expected that moving the money into FDs would help safeguard his hard-earned savings. However, on October 2, the fixed deposits were prematurely broken, and the money was withdrawn. The amount was suspected to have been transferred to other accounts.
The lawyer learned about the unauthorised transactions through a bank alert and subsequently approached the police. Investigators are now tracing the accounts that received the money and examining how the transactions were carried out.
Possible Bank Insider Involvement Under Investigation
One of the key questions facing investigators is how the fraudsters managed to access and withdraw money held in fixed deposits. According to the police, the investigation will examine who had access to information about the deposits and the transactions associated with them.
The possibility of bank employees being involved has not been ruled out. However, no employee’s involvement has been established so far.
Another possibility being examined is that the lawyer’s mobile phone may have been compromised. Investigators suspect that a malicious Android Package Kit (APK) file could have been downloaded onto his phone, potentially allowing cybercriminals to gain remote access to the device.
If a malicious application gains the necessary permissions, fraudsters may be able to access sensitive information, monitor certain activities or misuse banking-related messages and one-time passwords (OTPs).
However, investigators have not yet confirmed whether an APK file was downloaded or whether the phone was accessed remotely. Police are examining digital evidence and banking records to establish how the money was withdrawn.
35,000 Discontinued Gas Connections Potential Targets
The incidents have raised concerns about the security of consumer data associated with discontinued gas connections.
According to the available information, Green Gas has approximately 1.10 lakh connections in Agra. Of these, around 75,000 are active, while 35,000 have been discontinued.
Cybercriminals are suspected of using information associated with discontinued connections to identify and target consumers. Between 20 and 25 people are reportedly believed to have fallen victim to similar frauds.
Despite these incidents, the suspects have yet to be apprehended. Investigators are trying to determine how the alleged fraudsters obtained consumers’ mobile numbers and connection-related details, and whether the information was accessed or circulated without authorisation.
Second Victim Loses ₹5.96 Lakh in Meter Update Scam
Another similar case has been reported involving Mukesh Kumar Verma, a resident of Kamla Nagar, whose bank account is maintained at the Hathras branch of Indian Bank.
According to his complaint, he received a message on September 3 regarding an update to his Green Gas meter. He was subsequently contacted by a person identifying himself as Vinay Sharma.
The caller allegedly persuaded him to download an APK file through WhatsApp and pay ₹10 to complete the purported update process. Following this, his mobile phone was suspected of being compromised.
On September 4, ₹5,96,900 was withdrawn from his bank account in three separate transactions. Verma reportedly did not send any reply authorising the transactions. He subsequently lodged a complaint through the cybercrime helpline, and police have begun investigating the case.
Police Warn Against Unknown Calls and APK Files
DCP Cyber Crime Aditya Singh said a case had been registered in connection with the elderly lawyer’s complaint and that a cyber police team had begun investigating the matter.
Investigators will trace the accounts into which the money was transferred and examine whether any bank employees played a role in the alleged fraud.
Police have advised residents not to trust calls from unknown numbers or download APK files received through WhatsApp. Fraudsters may use claims involving gas subsidies, meter updates or connection-related services to persuade consumers to install malicious applications or make small payments.
Residents have been advised to verify such requests directly through the gas company’s official channels before making payments or installing any application. Even a seemingly insignificant payment request can be used as an entry point for a much larger financial fraud.
