Daijiworld Media Network- Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta, Aug 28: A 52-year-old man from Pathanamthitta fell victim to cyber fraud and lost Rs 95,000 after calling a bogus toll-free number he found online while seeking customer care service for his water purifier.

The incident took place on August 23, when the complainant searched online for the helpline number of a reputed water purifier company. Unaware that the number was fake, he contacted it and was later instructed by a caller posing as a company executive to install an application through a link sent to his phone.

The app turned out to be a remote access tool, giving fraudsters full control of his device. Soon after installation, three unauthorised UPI transactions were carried out, draining Rs 95,000 from his account.

Investigations revealed that the toll-free number was created by cyber fraudsters and posted online. Based on the complaint, Pathanamthitta Cyber Police Station has registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

Police said efforts are on to trace the recipient accounts and recover the amount. Officials also warned the public to verify customer care numbers only from authentic company websites, especially with festive season purchases on the rise.