Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 24: A 41-year-old woman from Kannur became the victim of a major cybercrime after misplacing her mobile phone during a train journey, leading to the fraudulent withdrawal of nearly Rs 4.1 lac from her Canara Bank account.
The woman was travelling from Kannur to Mangaluru Central Railway Station on August 16 when she lost her mobile phone onboard the train. Acting swiftly, she informed both Canara Bank’s customer care and Reliance Jio’s customer support to report the loss, hoping to prevent any misuse.
However, on August 18, the situation took an unexpected turn. Her brother called the missing number, only to have the call answered by a man identifying himself as Rajesh. Claiming to have found the phone along the Salem-Coimbatore railway route, Rajesh assured them he would hand the device over to the Coimbatore Railway police by 5:30 pm.
“He sounded genuine and promised to return the phone through official channels,” the complainant later told police. Relying on his assurance, she waited. But when no update followed, she filed a missing phone complaint at the Irrity police station in Kannur.
After acquiring a new mobile handset and SIM card, she accessed her bank account—only to discover a series of unauthorised transactions carried out between August 16 and 18, amounting to a shocking Rs 4,09,000. Alarmed, she immediately contacted the cybercrime helpline 1930 and lodged a formal complaint.
Further scrutiny of her bank statement revealed a suspicious pattern: an unknown account had initially deposited Rs 1 lac into her account, only to withdraw the same amount in multiple transactions. In total, approximately Rs 4 lac had been siphoned off by unknown individuals.
The Mangaluru South police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Officials believe the cybercriminals gained access to sensitive banking information stored on the stolen phone, including OTPs and passwords.
“This case highlights how quickly fraudsters act once they get hold of a mobile device,” said a police official. “Immediate action is critical—reporting the loss to both telecom providers and banks can sometimes stop a breach before it happens.”
Cybersecurity experts are once again urging the public to secure banking apps with biometric locks, avoid saving passwords on devices, and act without delay in case of phone theft or loss.
How to stay safe
Vigilance is the key to avoiding such scams. If you receive such calls, never fall for the trap. Remember, police officials never initiate cases online or ask for money.
Most importantly, the term “digital arrest” is fabricated by scammers and does not exist in Indian law. If someone threatens you with it, it is undoubtedly a scam.
Additionally, never share bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive information over phone calls or messages, regardless of the caller’s claims. If you suspect a scam, report it to the authorities and your bank immediately. Quick action can help prevent further losses.